Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today held the 2015 Summer Adirondack Challenge to promote summer tourism and showcase recreational opportunities in the Adirondack region. The event brought together hundreds of state and local officials, tourism industry representatives and summer enthusiasts to explore Upstate New York and enjoy local Taste NY food and beverage products. At the Adirondack Challenge, the Governor announced four vital investments to strengthen tourism in Upstate New York.

“The Adirondacks are truly one of New York’s crown jewels and I know that once people see them for themselves, they will fall in love and keep coming back,” Governor Cuomo said. “From the Adirondack Challenge to these new State initiatives, we are getting the word out in order to grow tourism in this region, as well as other parts of Upstate, which in turn will create jobs and improve these local economies. This is the perfect time to plan a visit, and I encourage everyone to come and experience all that the North Country has to offer.”

A total of 350 Adirondack Challenge participants, including New York State Tourism Advisory Council Vice Chair Thurman Thomas, joined in some of the region’s most alluring outdoor activities, including: a whitewater rafting trip down the Indian River; golfing at Cedar River Golf Course; a 6-mile hike to Ross Pond; fishing at Cedar Creek; a 68-mile motorcycle ride though the Adirondack Park; and paddle boarding, canoeing kayaking at Byron Park in Indian Lake.

While at today’s Adirondack Challenge, Governor Cuomo announced four vital investments in strengthening tourism to Upstate New York: the “I LOVE NY Cash and Travel” lottery ticket; $2 million for campgrounds in the Catskills and Adirondacks; a new Adirondack Park website and mobile app; and an extended, outdoors-specific I LOVE NY marketing campaign.

An extended, outdoors-specific I LOVE NY marketing campaign kicks off this August and will be featured on 700 New York City buses, promoting an array of activities found in the Adirondacks and other vacation regions. The advertisements will highlight canoeing, hiking and other outdoor adventures at selected destinations to inspire summer weekend getaways. The campaign will target New York City residents and visitors, as well as international tourists. The New York City bus routes are concentrated in Manhattan, but will also have routes in all five boroughs. The ad campaign is projected to reach 20 percent of the New York City population every day through the end of August. View bus advertisements here.

$2 million for campgrounds in the Catskills and Adirondacks

Governor Cuomo also announced the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will perform $2 million in improvements and upgrades to campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskill Forest Preserves. With funding from the Environmental Protection Fund, the campground improvements further expand the State’s commitment to enhancing and expanding outdoor recreational opportunities across New York State.

Adirondack Park Website and Mobile App

Also announced at the Challenge, the launch of a new Adirondack Park website and mobile app to promote tourism and allow users to plan their next trip to the Adirondacks. The website, www.DiscoverAdkPark.com, and mobile app are available at no cost and feature a comprehensive, user friendly platform with 4,000 recreation and destination listings for visitors to choose from. The website and app were developed by the North Country, Mohawk Valley and Capital Regions working together with Market NY funds awarded through Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.

The Third Adirondack Challenge supports Governor Cuomo’s commitment to tourism and investments made to continue growing the industry statewide. In 2014, tourism statewide totaled a $100.1 billion economic impact, the highest in New York history. The Adirondacks Region alone generated $1.29 billion in direct spending and $159 million in state and local taxes. This economic sector was fundamental to the region’s success, supporting 21,203 jobs, 17.9 percent of all employment in the region, and $590 million in labor income.