Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York welcomed a record 306.3 million visitors in 2023, while setting new all-time highs in direct visitor spending and total economic impact associated with the state’s tourism industry. Visitors to New York State contributed to a record $88 billion in direct spending and supported a historic $137 billion in total economic impact statewide. The Governor made the announcement at the Great New York State Fair, a seasonal tourist attraction and perennially popular economic driver. This data, compiled in a series of reports prepared by Tourism Economicsrepresent significant gains from the record figures of 2022 and far exceed the highest figures achieved before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“New York State is synonymous with tourism; it is part of the fabric, history and economy of our incredibly diverse state,” he said. Governor Hochul. “As we approach the fall foliage and travel season, we are welcoming more visitors than ever before, and their presence is supporting businesses and communities in every corner of the state.”
Last year, the total economic impact of tourism statewide reached a record $137 billion, representing an 11 percent increase over 2022. Direct visitor spending also increased nearly 12 percent, from $78.6 billion in 2022 to $88 billion in 2023, the third consecutive year of double-digit growth. New York State also saw a five percent increase in visitation to 306.3 million travelers, up from 291.5 million in 2022. Additionally, state and local tax revenue generated by tourism saved the average New York State household $1,420 in taxes.
Tourism Economics reports detail the statewide and regional importance of the industry and underscore that New York State not only remains a top destination, but travel demand remains strong in the post-pandemic landscape. Each of the state’s 11 vacation regions experienced sustained growth, with the Finger Lakes, Greater Niagara Region, Long Island and New York City all seeing visitor spending increases of more than 10 percent. While domestic visitor spending dominates New York’s travel economy, spending growth by Canadian and foreign visitors outpaced that of domestic travelers.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight, “New York State’s strategic investments in the tourism industry under Governor Hochul’s leadership continue to pay dividends as we welcome even more guests from around the world to our state. The latest numbers demonstrate that New York State and its unique attractions continue to attract visitors from around the world, helping to promote regional and statewide economic growth,” said Governor Hochul.
Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi, He said: “While some experts feared a post-COVID tourism bubble with travelers satisfying their pent-up demand for travel in 2022, New York State tourism showed no signs of slowing down in 2023 and defied expectations by achieving record levels of visitation, visitor spending, economic impact and tax generation. These successes are a tribute to the collective work of the tourism industry across the state that continues to show creativity, tenacity and ingenuity in encouraging travelers to experience how easy it is to love New York.”
Governor Hochul has supported and prioritized New York’s tourism industry, one of the state’s key economic drivers. Under her leadership, new programs like the I LOVE NY Black travel initiative have been launched to expand visitation, and her historic “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” pandemic recovery package supported travel industry businesses and employees and brought new events to the state. Last year, nearly $15 million in Market New York grants were awarded to 59 tourism projects and events through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Additionally, more than $14 million in grants were awarded to 30 local and regional destination marketing organizations through the EDA’s Tourism Partner Grant Program. The Governor has also announced innovative improvements to tourism infrastructure, such as state parks and airports, as well as comprehensive I LOVE NY marketing efforts to encourage travel across New York State.
State Senator Jose M. Serrano “Tourism is a vital economic driver for New York State, and new data shows that people continue to come back to experience the state’s unique offerings. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, I am excited about the state’s continued growth in this crucial industry, and I look forward to even more travelers coming to visit New York this fall.”
Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell said, “As Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development, I am pleased to share that New York achieved record-breaking milestones in tourism in 2023. This achievement reflects an increase in tourism across New York State that could not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of everyone in the tourism industry and the impactful policies supporting New York’s tourism sector. Although summer is coming to a close, there is still much to see in New York during our fall and winter seasons. Together, we will continue to secure New York’s position as a top-tier global destination.”
Today’s announcement comes ahead of the fall travel season, one of the most popular times for residents and visitors to travel across the state. New York State has one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country, welcoming visitors from around the world to explore seasonal attractions in the state’s unique and diverse regions. To help travelers plan a fall getaway, I LOVE NY will launch its weekly fall foliage reports on Thursday, September 12, with updates issued every Wednesday thereafter throughout the season.
I LOVE NY fall foliage reports are compiled weekly using on-site observations from a team of more than 85 volunteers in the state’s 11 holiday regions. Observers track color changes in their area and detail the predominant leaf colors, percentage of total transition, and progression relative to peak conditions for the upcoming weekend. Peak conditions are considered the best in which foliage will be seen in a given season and typically occur between late September and mid-November, depending on location.
As part of the report, the interactive map of the foliage in the sitio web de I LOVE NY The map tracks weekly changes and progression throughout the season. The map offers recommended viewing locations, examples of foliage at its peak in designated areas, and information on popular local and regional attractions. Travelers are invited to share their best photos of New York State foliage on social media using the hashtag #NYLovesFall for a chance to be featured on the I LOVE NY website and official social media accounts, including: Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Threadsreaching more than two million followers.
Reports and the interactive foliage map are available at www.iloveny.com/foliageor toll-free at 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories, and Canada.
The fall foliage program is just one part of I LOVE NY’s overall campaign to promote fall tourism, which includes an upcoming television spot. Travelers can explore all the amazing attractions and activities that await them across the state this fall, from apple and pumpkin picking to haunted Halloween activities, hikes, craft beverage trails and special Path Through History weekend events, at www.iloveny.com/fall.
For more information on New York tourism or to plan a getaway to New York State, visit www.iloveny.com.
