Lawmakers oppose NY tourism cuts

Paterson’s proposed budget ‘not smart’

By FRITZ MAYER

BETHEL, NY — New York State Senator John Bonacic said, “I’ve never seen economic times like this.” But he also said that cutting the state tourism budget by up to 30 percent was not a “smart” thing to do.

He spoke at a meeting at Bethel Woods, sponsored by the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association on January 29, which included tourism business people and representatives from tourism agencies in Sullivan, Delaware, Ulster and Greene counties.

Governor David Paterson’s executive budget, which was released in December 2008, calls for $10 million to be cut from the tourism budget in 2009; in 2008, the budget was $27 million. The cut would affect the “I Love New York” program, and other programs such as matching funds for tourism advertising.

At the meeting, Bonacic said, “It’s been proven that when the state puts one dollar into the marketing of tourism, it gets a

return of two or three dollars. We know it works.”

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther shared Bonacic’s view that the cuts in tourism spending were not the way to go. She said the industry needs a “predictable funding stream.”

And Jan Chesterton, a vice president with the state association, made the point that revenues from some sectors, such as Wall Street, were down by as much as 20 percent from previous years, while revenue from the tourism industry remained relatively strong. She said, “The tourism industry is a powerful engine that can keep the state’s economy moving forward.”

According to the Catskill Association of Tourism Services, which markets the four counties listed above and was represented at the meeting, tourism businesses in 2007, the latest year for which figures were available, generated $967 million in direct sales and directly employed over 13,000 people in the four counties.

Bonacic and Gunther promised to lobby Paterson before the final budget is passed in the spring to restore the tourism marketing funding.

But the trimmed tourist budget wasn’t the only topic of concern up for discussion. So was the proposed increased cost of obtaining a fishing license. On top of the $19 cost of an annual freshwater fishing license for state residents, those fishing for trout and salmon will be required to purchase a new stamp for an additional $10.

Roberta Byron Lockwood, president and CEO of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, said the increase would negatively affect areas that depend on anglers to provide revenue, and that the Catskill Association was opposed to any increases or new fees.

Speakers generally backed a proposed constitutional state amendment that has been introduced in the senate and assembly that would lead to casino gambling in the state. The measure would allow for three casinos in Sullivan County, but none for the other Catskill counties.

The issue of area gas drilling and its potential impact on the tourism industry was not mentioned.