For the first time in the County’s history, Rockland leads the Hudson Valley region in measurable growth in the tourism economy, County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef announced today.

According to the just-released Economic Impact of Tourism in New York, an annual study done by Oxford Economics and commissioned by New York State, Rockland County saw its share of traveler spending increase by 8.2-percent, leading the six-county Hudson Valley region in growth in visitor spending in 2012.

Traveler spending in Rockland has grown by more than 25-percent since 2009 and now represents 13-percent of overall traveler spending in the Hudson Valley region’s $3 billion tourism industry.

“We’re gratified that Rockland has become a genuine driver of the tourism economy here in the Hudson Valley. Tourists are finding out what we’ve known for years – Rockland County is a great place to live and to visit,” Vanderhoef said. “This steady increase in traveler spending proves that Rockland has become a travel destination in the region and beyond. We’re grateful for the Governor’s commitment to the state’s tourism industry and the continued support of New York State’s Matching Funds program which has enabled us to draw a growing number of visitors to our great County.”

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “Governor Cuomo has made growing New York State’s tourism a top priority. The Governor knows that tourism means business, leading to new jobs and spending across New York State. Last year alone, the Empire State welcomed more than 200 million international and domestic visitors who spent more than $57 billion during their travels.

Our congratulations to Rockland County, with its natural beauty and world class attractions for these tourism gains and for getting even more people to say, ‘I love New York!'”

Regional tourist attractions, an increase in filming in the County and key marketing strategies are responsible for the dramatic increase in visitor spending in Rockland, said CJ Miller, coordinator of the County’s Office of Tourism & Local Development. Home to the Palisades Center, one of the largest shopping malls in the United States; the Provident Bank Park minor league baseball stadium; several successful seasonal street fairs in the Village of Nyack; growing cultural celebrations, including the annual spring Greek Festival, now in its 40th year, and the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York State in Pearl River, visitors have many diverse reasons to visit Rockland.

Due to its proximity to New York City, interest from the film and television industries has increased exponentially in Rockland. Projects ranging from independent movies to large-scale Hollywood productions have filmed in Rockland recently, including a new pilot from HBO directed by Peter Berg filmed this week in the Village of Nyack.

“Rockland County Tourism is a key link in Nyack’s success as a tourist destination,” said Nyack Mayor Jen Laird White. “Every event that happens in our community receives unbelievable support from the Tourism office, resulting events like the Halloween Parade, Street Fairs and Art Walk attracting more people from further away, filling our streets, businesses and restaurants with shoppers and strollers and guaranteeing our reputation as a great village to visit.”

“From the days I served on the ‘I Love NY’ Tourism Commission, I knew that Rockland had everything tourists seek: historic sites, arts, recreation, hiking, great restaurants and shopping, and location on the beautiful Hudson River,” said Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman of the Rockland County Legislature. “Thanks to Rockland’s current promotional efforts, the results are impressive. I am thrilled that we are leading the Hudson Valley in tourism growth with its significant economic impact.”

Since 2010, the County’s Office of Tourism & Local Development has launched a new website, www.rocktourism.com, expanded its electronic media campaign and increased subscriptions to its popular weekly email blast, “Spend this Weekend in Rockland,” a marketing tool unique to Rockland which now reaches more than 43,000 email users in the Hudson Valley region and beyond. The Office of Tourism & Local Development is funded solely by an annual grant from the Empire State Development’s I Love NY Matching Funds program.

The tourism industry accounts for 8,230 jobs in Rockland County, according to the 2012 Oxford study, the definitive measurement of the New York State tourism industry. A copy of the study can be viewed online at www.oxfordecomics.com or at www.rocktourism.com.

This fall, the County Office of Tourism & Local Development will launch a new advertising campaign positioning Rockland as a desirable and affordable wedding and catering destination in close proximity to Manhattan, Miller said. The promotion is designed to increase event bookings in Rockland’s elegant catering venues as well as overnight stays in Rockland’s top quality hotels.

“We want to develop Rockland as a niche market for people looking to hold affordable functions in a serene, bucolic atmosphere,” Miller said. “We’ve got top-notch hotels and catering venues that offer lovely mountain and Hudson River views just 30 minutes outside of Manhattan. We believe Rockland is a viable alternative for people planning memorable events in a beautiful location that won’t strain their budget.”

(YWN Monsey Newsroom)