Agri-Palooza
Letchworth Arts & Craft Show
With almost 200 tourism related businesses in Wyoming County, it’s a sector that contributes to the overall economic picture and health of the county. Travelers spend approximately $37 million annually in area. It generates $17 million in labor income, and there is a return of $4.3 million in state and local sales tax. That translates to an average savings of $527 per county household from tourism generated taxes.
May 1 through 7 has been designated as Travel and Tourism Week, not only in the county, but throughout the country as well. During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Wyoming County Chamber & Tourism President Scott Gardner read the proclamation, which states in part:
The Wyoming County Board of Supervisors wishes to recognize the importance of tourism as a critical industry in Wyoming County and urges all our citizens to join with us in this observance.
“Tourism brings in significant revenue to the county,” Gardner said. “That translates to jobs, business sustainability and growth. The revenue provides a desperately needed boost to our local economy and provides a significant source of funds to help stabilize our tax base.”
According to the US Travel association, nationally, tourism directly generated $134 billion in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments in 2013. It is America’s largest services export industry and is one of the country’s largest employers. It supports 14.9 million jobs, including 7.9 million directly in the travel industry and 7 million in other industries.
To promote the county, the tourism department distributes almost 100,000 travel guides each year places in Canada, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and along the eastern seaboard. In addition to events like the Letchworth Arts & Craft Show, Wyoming County is promoted on multiple platforms including the internet, social media, TV and radio, as well as other publications.
“Agri-Palooza, the AppleUmpkin festival, and the Perry Chalk Art festival, or any number of events and festivals in the county, they aren’t just attractions, but opportunities to showcase the county.”
According to Gardner, travelers come from all over the word to see sights like Letchworth State Park – almost 900,000 people visited the park last year. Additionally, the tourism department collaborates in regional programs that reach international travelers from Germany, Australia, and China.
The tourism program is administered by the Chamber and is funded in part by the NYS Office of Economic Development Tourism matching fund program, the Wyoming County Bed tax, and matching funds designated by the Board of Supervisors. Each piece maintains the tourism program in the county.
Travel and Tourism Week is a celebration of the attractions and businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and brings visitors to the county.
For information on all that Wyoming County has to offer, pick up a travel guide at the Chamber in the Ag and Business Center, Center Street, Warsaw, or visit http://www.gowyomingcountyny.com/.
AppleUmpkin festival
Perry Chalk Art festival