Tourism in Tompkins County is booming this fall, driven by events like the Apple Harvest Festival and a national shoutout from CNN, according to Tompkins Weekly.
Visit Ithaca’s team just won a statewide award for boosting visitor engagement. In 2024, tourism brought in $429 million and supported over 3,200 jobs. But officials warn 2026 could bring a 2.5% decline, citing fewer international visitors, canceled conferences, and reduced academic travel.
The county is also rolling out a new downtown activation program and short-term rental regulations, while preparing to update its long-term tourism strategy.
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