Governor Cuomo Announces New Initiatives to Promote Winter Tourism Across New York State
New Advertising Campaign Will Promote New York’s Winter Destinations in Media Markets Throughout the Northeast
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Annual Free Snowmobiling Weekend Scheduled for February 3-5
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently unveiled a new marketing campaign designed
to increase visitors and generate interest in New York State’s top
winter tourism attractions and destinations. The winter marketing campaign,
which will include two new television advertisements, will run in media
markets throughout the Northeast and promote New York as a world-class
winter destination. The Governor also announced New York State’s
annual Free Snowmobiling Weekend for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers,
will run from Friday, February 3, through Sunday, February 5, 2017.
“Increasing upstate tourism continues to be a top priority for our
administration and with this ad campaign and free snowmobiling weekend,
we are building on our past success, and leveraging our natural assets
to bring more visitors to New York during the winter season,”
Governor Cuomo said. “I encourage New Yorkers and tourists alike to visit these unparalleled
winter destinations and snowmobile trails and take advantage of all New
York has to offer.”
The winter marketing campaign features two 30-second I LOVE NEW YORK television
advertisements showcasing the Empire State’s diverse recreational
and family-friendly activities, while reminding viewers of the various
attractions that make New York State a world-class winter destination.
The ads are slated to run from January 20 through February 19 in major
markets in New York and across the Northeast, including Pennsylvania,
Ohio and Connecticut, as well as Montreal and Toronto, Canada.
The first ad focuses on winter sports and recreation destinations, and
informs viewers that New York has more ski mountains than anywhere else
in the United States. It also promotes several Upstate attractions, including
the Kissing Bridge and Canalside in Western New York; Plattekill Mountain
in the Catskills; West, Gore and Whiteface mountains in the Adirondacks;
and Allegany State Park in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region. The ad can
be viewed on YouTube
here.
The winter fun ad, which begins with fireworks over an ice palace at the
renowned Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in the Adirondacks, features family-friendly
attractions across the state, including Greek Peak Cascades Indoor Water
Park in the Finger Lakes, the Long Island Children’s Museum and
the recently-opened Long Island Welcome Center, and Bear Mountain State
Park in the Hudson Valley. The ad can be viewed on YouTube
here.
Both ads are available in TV quality (h264 format)
here.
Winter travel is responsible for 21 percent of New York’s total
tourism, accounting for more than $13 billion in direct visitor spending
in 2015. More information on winter tourism in New York State is available at
www.iloveny.com/winter and on the free I LOVE NEW YORK mobile app, available for download on
the iTunes and Google Play app stores or at
www.iloveny.com/mobile.
Free Snowmobiling Weekend
Governor Cuomo also announced the state’s annual free snowmobiling
weekend will be held in communities across New York on Friday, February
3, through Sunday, February 5, for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers.
Registration fees will be waived for properly registered and insured out-of-state
snowmobiling enthusiasts wishing to explore New York’s 10,500 miles
of trails.
Currently, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers are required to register
their snowmobiles with New York State before hitting the State’s
trails, stretching from the Hudson Valley to the North Country to Western
New York. Snowmobile registration costs $100, but is decreased to $45
if the snowmobiler is a member of a local snowmobile club. This fee will
be waived for out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers during the promotional
weekend, provided they are properly registered and insured in another
state or Canada.
During free snowmobiling weekend, town registration fees will also be
waived for all in-state, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers. For more
information on snowmobiling, including online registration for out-of-state
snowmobilers during non-promotional times, click
here.
The state’s snowmobiling community generates total economic impact
of approximately $868 million, according to a 2011 study by the State
University at Potsdam. The promotional weekend will provide a boost to
local small businesses and help to promote the state’s vast network
of snowmobile trails, which are groomed and maintained by more than 230
local snowmobile clubs across the New York State.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Governor Cuomo continues his commitment to statewide tourism promotion
with this new winter marketing campaign, which proudly invites visitors
to experience New York’s top-rated mountains, unique winter tourism
attractions and world-class events across the State.”
Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation said, “Governor Cuomo has done a tremendous job promoting how much New
York has to offer to outdoor winter recreation enthusiasts. Winter is
no time to stay inside. Visitors to New York will find thousands of miles
of groomed snowmobile trails available to enjoy, along with countless
places for skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, skating and more at State Parks
across New York.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Winter is a great time to get out and experience the amazing opportunities
for outdoor recreation in New York State, and through Governor Cuomo’s
leadership the state is expanding promotion of all the activities residents
and visitors to the state can enjoy. The free snowmobiling weekend is
a great time to experience this sport and explore the Adirondacks, Catskills
and thousands of acres of other state lands available for enjoyment while
supporting the local economies that depend on this much needed tourism
revenue.”
New York State Snowmobile Association Executive Director Dominic Jacangelo said, “Thank you Governor for once again declaring and promoting a ‘Free
Snowmobiling Weekend’ in New York. I am sure that once out-of-staters
try our great New York Trail system they will be back year after year”
Individuals operating a snowmobile should be familiar with safe riding
practices and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The best way
to learn is by taking a snowmobile safety course. A leader in snowmobile
education, New York State offers an operator training course for snowmobilers
to ensure the safety of riders and other trail users. To find a course, click
here. A safety certificate is required for youth between ages 10 and 18.