Resources & Insights

Browse our Resource Library for the latest industry insights, expert tips, policy updates, best practices and more affecting New York State's tourism industry.

posted: July 5, 2023

NYSTIA Website Accessibility Enhanced with AccessiBe

When we launched our new website in 2022, making sure it was ADA-compliant was one of our top priorities for the new year. Under the guidance of the NYSTIA DEAI Committee and with the help of Corporate Communications, we have recently installed the Web Accessibility widget AccessiBe to make our…

posted: May 16, 2023

DEAI Case Study: How Embracing Harriet Tubman's Legacy Boosts & Supports Diversity in Cayuga County

The COVID-19 pause and pivot offered an unexpected opportunity to delve into the authenticity of Harriet Tubman’s legacy in the Finger Lakes Region. When the Cayuga County Tourism office identified that Harriet Tubman, as an internationally recognized symbol of freedom, could be a significant…

posted: April 7, 2023

Cayuga County Office of Tourism Achieves Travel Unity DEAI Certification

AUBURN, NY – Cayuga County Office of Tourism has become the first organization to achieve certification through Travel Unity’s Certified By Travel Unity (CBTU) program. CBTU is the travel and tourism industry’s only certification program that validates visitor-facing organizations’ efforts…

posted: March 20, 2023

Two New Award Categories Added to 2023 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards

Start preparing your DEAI and sustainability nominations! The NYSTIA DEAI Committee, led by Nicole Mahoney at Break the Ice Media, and Sustainability Task Force led by Kate Kruk at Livingston Energy Group, have provided two new award categories for the 2023 NYS Tourism Excellence…

posted: March 6, 2023

DEAI Case Study: How a Request from Disney Kick-Started Discover Schenectady's DEIA Strategy

When Disney's Broadway production of Aladdin was getting ready to play in Schenectady, one of the show's executives asked the staff at Proctors Theatre if they or anyone in Schenectady had a list of LGBTQ and MWBE-owned businesses they could share with the cast & crew. Realizing that they did not,…

posted: January 23, 2023

Lake Placid 2023 World University Games: Setting a Sustainability Standard in the Adirondacks

As the World University Games come to a close in the Adirondacks, NYSTIA's Brooke Wilson shares a few key takeaways from the event. The exemplary sustainability standards set by the 2023 Lake Placid FISU World University Games undoubtedly place New York State as a beacon for sustainable event…

posted: December 13, 2022

2022 Travel Unity Summit Northeast: NYSTIA's Takeaways

Last week, NYSTIA's Rachele Markle had the opportunity to represent NYSTIA at the 2022 Travel Unity Summit Northeast, hosted in the historic town of Auburn, NY. Programming was packed with exemplary DEAI approaches throughout the Northeast, accessibility initiatives in NYS, meaningful community…

posted: December 6, 2022

DEAI Case Study: Visit Rochester's IDEA Committee

At a time of civil unrest within in their community as well as across the country, the Team at Visit Rochester utilized the opportunity to create an IDEA (Inclusion-Diversity-Equity-Accessibility) Committee. Partnering with community organizations that are experts in these fields, the Committee's…

posted: November 22, 2022

DEAI Case Study: Letchworth State Park Autism Nature Trail

The Letchworth State Park Autism Nature Trail is the nation’s first nature trail specifically designed to address the sensory needs of those on the autism spectrum and their families. Officially opening on October 1, 2021 in Letchworth State Park, the Autism Nature Trail is a one-mile hiking…

posted: August 1, 2022

Share Your DEAI Case Study With Your NYSTIA Colleagues

The NYSTIA DEI Committee wants to hear your DEI or DEAI story!