TRR photo by Chris Conory Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, chair of the New York State Assembly committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development, told the gathered members of the Sullivan County Visitors Association how the state was supporting and developing the tourism industry. (Click for larger image)

They really love New York

By CHRIS CONROY

LOCH SHELDRAKE — While still not quite back to the point it was at a few decades ago, many are saying that New York State has come a long way in rebuilding its commitment to the tourism industry.

On May 9, members of the Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) gathered for the SCVA’s 2002 literature exchange and celebration at Sullivan County Community College. The group was addressed by a number of individuals with vested interests in the promotion of New York State, as well as Sullivan County, tourism.

“I think I’m a huge Sullivan County fan,” said Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, the chair of the New York State Assembly committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development (or the “Committee on Fun,” as Morelle likes to call it). After only being in the area for a few days, he said, “I will be telling people to come here for years.”

Morelle echoed sentiments voiced by local Assemblyman Jacob Gunther that tourism has always been, and should always be, a major economic factor in Sullivan County. “The worst thing to do now is to cut back on tourism [spending],” he said advocating that the state as a whole devote more of the budget to bringing visitors across its borders.

Some of the money for that tourism promotion, Morelle said, may come from casino gambling revenues. While Governor George Pataki has talked about it, Morelle said, there have been no definite plans for such an arrangement.

Also presented during the day was the work of Fisher-Mears Associates, the Liberty-based advertising firm that is doing the promotional work for the SCVA’s numerous advertising campaigns. New advances in online technology were also discussed by Ed Muhl of Empire State Development, the company working with the SCVA to bring real-time travel booking and information to users of the SCVA website (www.scva.net).