MINISINK FORD, NY — As part of his first-ever Catskill Challenge, Gov. Andrew Cuomo took a rafting trip on the Upper Delaware River on June 30 to bring attention to the attractions in the region such as Bethel Woods, fly fishing and other outdoor activities.

Before the rafting trip, Cuomo unveiled a number of initiatives meant to boost tourism in the region, including a new “I Love New York” ad campaign and grant money for tourism infrastructure projects.

Cuomo also announced that his administration will nominate the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair, now owned by Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

“The Catskills are one of New York’s greatest natural treasures, and today we are shining the spotlight on what makes this region so special,” Cuomo said. “We are investing in this region like never before, and I am proud to continue that focus so that tourism remains a source of economic prosperity and opportunity in the Hudson Valley for years to come.”

Since becoming governor, Cuomo has tried to boost the tourism industry in the state. A press release from his office says, “In the Catskills region alone, tourism direct spending resulted in over $1.1 billion in economic impact, an increase of more than 13 percent since 2010. Visitation is up over 11 percent since 2010 with more than four million visitors to the Catskills in 2014. In addition, tourism is vital to the region’s economy, representing more than 15 percent of the region’s employment, or over 17,000 jobs.”

For more information on tourism in New York State, visit www.iloveny.com.