Finger Lakes Towns Weigh Summer Business Growth Options
Municipal boards across the Finger Lakes are spending long summer meetings on a familiar tension: how to capture more tourist spending without changing the character residents value. From Seneca County to Schuyler County, officials are ... more
Rochester international tourism fell 35.7% in 2025, report finds
International visitation to the Rochester metropolitan area fell 35.7% in 2025, a much steeper decline than the 2.5% drop recorded nationally, according to a new analysis of federal tourism data. The region received an estimated ... more
Schuyler County’s FLX Gateway earns international economic development accreditation
FLX Gateway has earned accreditation from the International Economic Development Council, placing the Schuyler County organization among 99 economic development groups holding the designation. The Accredited Economic Development Organization designation follows a peer review of ... more
Sales tax growth accelerates across Finger Lakes and Central New York, but gains remain uneven
Local sales tax collections climbed across the Finger Lakes and Central New York during the first half of 2026, giving most county governments a stronger revenue picture heading into the second half of the year ... more
Tour Cayuga honors America 250 tourism award winners
Tour Cayuga recognized seven partners and community leaders June 17 during its annual Where Tourism Meets Community luncheon at Emerson Park Pavilion on Owasco Lake. The 2026 Commemorating America 250 Tourism Awards honored Cayuga County ... more
New York ranks fourth among best states for summer road trips
New York ranked fourth in a new WalletHub analysis of the best and worst states for summer road trips in 2026. The personal finance website compared all 50 states across 32 metrics tied to cost, ... more
AAA expects record 72.2 million Americans to travel during July 4 holiday period
A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Independence Day holiday period, according to a new forecast from AAA. The travel organization said Wednesday that the ... more
How del Lago Reshaped Entertainment in the Finger Lakes
Drive west on Route 414 toward Waterloo and the skyline tells a story. Where Seneca County travelers once saw little more than open fields and the occasional farm stand, a sprawling resort now rises against ... more
Tour Cayuga awards $30,000 to support local events
More than 20 events and community programs across Cayuga County will receive funding through Tour Cayuga's 2026 Tourism Support Grant program. The organization announced that $30,000 has been awarded to 22 recipients to help develop ... more
Tour Cayuga to host tourism summit in Auburn next month
Tourism leaders, business owners and community organizations from across Cayuga County will gather in Auburn next month for a summit focused on the role tourism plays in the local economy and community identity. Tour Cayuga ... more
AAA expects record Memorial Day travel as higher gas prices test consumers
AAA says a record 45 million Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend this year, a sign that demand for leisure travel remains strong even as fuel prices continue climbing and broader affordability ... more
Cayuga County tourism generated $157 million in visitor spending last year
Tourism officials in Cayuga County say visitors spent more than $157 million locally in 2024, supporting jobs, businesses, and local tax revenue across the county as communities marked National Travel and Tourism Week this week ... more
Sweet Treat Trail returns to Cayuga County with America 250 theme
Cayuga County’s signature dessert tour is back for another season, inviting residents and visitors to explore dozens of local stops as part of a self-guided experience that blends small business promotion with a summer-long attraction ... more
Why the ‘Slow Travel’ Movement is Taking Over the Finger Lakes This Season
The Efficiency of Doing Less Anyone who has tried to do the Finger Lakes in a single weekend knows that, while it might be possible, it’s certainly close to impossible. With eleven different lakes, the ... more
Tourism strategy presentation headlines Seneca County committee meeting
Seneca County officials will get a closer look at the future of local tourism development during a special committee meeting next week. The county’s Economic Development, Tourism and Housing Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, ... more
Tour Cayuga opens applications for 2026 tourism support grant
Cayuga County tourism officials are now accepting applications for a grant program aimed at boosting events and programming that draw visitors and showcase the region’s history and culture. The Tour Cayuga Tourism Support Grant, now ... more
Federal policies driving drop in NY tourism, report says
New York is seeing a sharp decline in international tourism, with fewer visitors translating into lost revenue and weakening job growth across key industries, according to a new analysis from the state comptroller’s office. The ... more
Cayuga County sites reopen for spring visitors
Several historic and outdoor attractions in Cayuga County have reopened for the spring season, drawing visitors back after winter closures. Officials highlighted multiple sites in Auburn and across the county now welcoming the public. In ... more
Shutdown chaos could shut down small airports
Unpaid TSA workers are keeping airports running, but smaller hubs could soon feel the strain, according to Spectrum News. A partial government shutdown has left thousands working without pay, with some quitting or staying home ... more
