October 2019 | Hudson Valley Out of Alignment Issue Brief
The Growth of Tourism
Tourism is booming throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley. From Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, the study area’s most lucrative tourist destination, to resorts, a casino, Hudson River cruises and pick-your-own apple farms, visitors are flocking to the regional destinations in droves. Revitalized downtowns feature trendy boutiques and new amenities such as the Walkway Over the Hudson. The Empire Trail has added to the long tradition of outdoor recreation in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Fed by massive tourism growth in New York City, Mid-Hudson Valley tourism is the focus of state and local economic development efforts and incentives. These additions have resulted in an infusion of visitor spending and sales tax revenues. From 2010 to 2017, tourism spending rose 17%. Within the study area, the counties of Ulster, Greene, Sullivan and Columbia have shown the greatest increase in jobs.
This project was funded by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., and completed by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress.
