Business Council Supports Funding New York's Tourism Industry

ALBANY, NY (03/04/2014)(readMedia)-- The Business Council of New York State joined more than 200 tourism industry professionals in Albany today for the Tourism Industry Coalition's Tourism Action Day supporting sustained and increased funding for New York State's travel and tourism industries.

"New York has made great gains the past few years in supporting and investing in the state's tourism industry," said Heather C. Briccetti, Esq., president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State. "Connecting tourists with the best New York has to offer is a wise investment, boosting our economy and creating jobs. The Council supports the state sustaining its investment in tourism related programs."

The Business Council supports continued funding for the state's Regional Economic Development Councils, funding for the state to host more tourism related summits and initiatives that create private sector investment and job creation. The Executive Budget includes funding for Market-NY at $5 million; Taste-NY at $1.1 million, I Love NY at $2.5 million; and the county matching funds program at approximately $3.8 million for FY2014-15.

The Business Council also supports the continued funding of the Wine and Grape Foundation appropriated at $713,000, for FY2014-15 and the state's continued investment in the Regional Economic Development Councils, Open for Business and NY Works, which was estimated at $60 million in 2013.

The Business Council members attending or being represented at Tourism Action Day included: Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, American Express, BBL Hospitality, Destiny USA, Inns of Aurora, LLC, The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, Empire Resorts, Inc., Fox Run Vineyards, Inc., Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, IN New York & Where magazines, The Lodge at Welch Allyn, New York Power Authority, Niagara Honeymoon Sweets, New York Wine & Culinary Center, New York Wine & Grape Foundation, Palace Theatre, Plattsburgh Chamber of Commerce, The Sagamore, Saratoga Casino & Raceway, Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau, Tri-City Valley Cats, VisitRochester, and the Wyoming County Chamber & Tourism.

The Business Council supports the level of funding appropriated to the tourism industry in Governor Cuomo's Executive Budget and encourages the New York State Legislature to approve this level of funding.

For more information on The Business Council's support of the Travel and Tourism industry, visit www.bcnys.org.