Sullivan tourism business owners upbeat

High gas prices may help county

By FRITZ MAYER

ELDRED, NY — Gasoline may be spiking at above $4 per gallon, and the economy may be sluggish, but that did not dampen the mood among tourism business owners at the annual literature exchange.

The event, which is sponsored by the Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) and held this year on May 22 at The Eldred Preserve, allows business owners a chance to exchange brochures to help promote each other’s businesses and area tourism as a whole.

When asked about the possible negative impact of high prices at the pump, SCVA president and CEO Roberta Byron-Lockwood said, “For Americans, vacations are not negotiable.” She quoted information from a survey by the Tourism Industry Association (TIA), which said that the high price may impact driving vacations that are several hundred miles away. But she said Sullivan County is “a tankful of gas adventure,” and being so close to the New York City metropolitan area, is a plus this year.

The TIA survey also said that one out of six people, who will receive a rebate check from the federal government this year, plan to use the money “for an overnight or day trip for leisure purposes.” The TIA survey was conducted in April.

Lawmaker Leni Binder agreed with Byron-Lockwood’s assessment. She said that while gas prices have caused her to change her own driving habits—for instance she does not take as many trips to Middletown as she used to—she nevertheless expects more people to vacation in the county, rather than driving to more remote destinations.

Joe Tinari, owner of the Fosterdale Motor Lodge, said feedback from people online and those making advance reservations lead him to think the season will be strong. Also, he said, with the museum opening at Bethel Woods, and all the new economic activity in Kauneonga Lake and elsewhere in the county, he can recommend plenty of activities for vacationers, which adds to the appeal of the county.

The owners of the Eldred Preserve are also bullish on the area. So much so that they recently bought the old Eldred Inn, renamed it The Corner, and opened an ice cream shop and luncheonette on Memorial Day weekend. A gift shop and wine and liquor store are also in the works.

Lou Monteleone, marketing director of the preserve, said early season bookings have been good.

Norman Duttweiler, producing director of the Forestburgh Playhouse, said he gets more than half the season’s bookings by September of the previous year, so he’s confident of having a good season. He said he doesn’t think it will be the best ever, but he said, “it will be a B plus.”

An award for SCVA

While hosting the literature exchange, Byron-Lockwood was also celebrating an award SCVA won at the NYS Governor’s Tourism Conference, held at Sagamore in Lake George, NY on May 14 through 16. SCVA picked up the “Best Ad Campaign for New York State.” The award recognizes creativity and innovation in marketing programs that have a positive impact on tourism in the state. The award was for the 2007 campaign, which was called “Wish Sullivan.”