Albany, NY - January 19, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled a new marketing campaign designed to increase visitors and generate interest in New York State’s top winter tourism attractions and destinations. The winter marketing campaign, which will include two new television advertisements, will run in media markets throughout the Northeast and promote New York as a world-class winter destination. The Governor also announced New York State’s annual Free Snowmobiling Weekend for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers, will run from Friday, February 3, through Sunday, February 5, 2017.
“Increasing upstate tourism continues to be a top priority for our administration and with this ad campaign and free snowmobiling weekend, we are building on our past success, and leveraging our natural assets to bring more visitors to New York during the winter season,” Governor Cuomo said. “I encourage New Yorkers and tourists alike to visit these unparalleled winter destinations and snowmobile trails and take advantage of all New York has to offer.”
The winter marketing campaign features two 30-second I LOVE NEW YORK television advertisements showcasing the Empire State’s diverse recreational and family-friendly activities, while reminding viewers of the various attractions that make New York State a world-class winter destination. The ads are slated to run from January 20 through February 19 in major markets in New York and across the Northeast, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and Connecticut, as well as Montreal and Toronto, Canada.
The first ad focuses on winter sports and recreation destinations, and informs viewers that New York has more ski mountains than anywhere else in the United States. It also promotes several Upstate attractions, including the Kissing Bridge and Canalside in Western New York; Plattekill Mountain in the Catskills; West, Gore and Whiteface mountains in the Adirondacks; and Allegany State Park in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region. The ad can be viewed on YouTube here.
The winter fun ad, which begins with fireworks over an ice palace at the renowned Saranac Lake Winter Carnival in the Adirondacks, features family-friendly attractions across the state, including Greek Peak Cascades Indoor Water Park in the Finger Lakes, the Long Island Children’s Museum and the recently-opened Long Island Welcome Center, and Bear Mountain State Park in the Hudson Valley. The ad can be viewed on YouTube here.
Both ads are available in TV quality (h264 format) here.
Winter travel is responsible for 21 percent of New York’s total tourism, accounting for more than $13 billion in direct visitor spending in 2015. More information on winter tourism in New York State is available at www.iloveny.com/winter and on the free I LOVE NEW YORK mobile app, available for download on the iTunes and Google Play app stores or here.
Free Snowmobiling Weekend
Governor Cuomo also announced the state’s annual free snowmobiling weekend will be held in communities across New York on Friday, February 3, through Sunday, February 5, for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers. Registration fees will be waived for properly registered and insured out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts wishing to explore New York’s 10,500 miles of trails.
Currently, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers are required to register their snowmobiles with New York State before hitting the State’s trails, stretching from the Hudson Valley to the North Country to Western New York. Snowmobile registration costs $100, but is decreased to $45 if the snowmobiler is a member of a local snowmobile club. This fee will be waived for out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers during the promotional weekend, provided they are properly registered and insured in another state or Canada.
During free snowmobiling weekend, town registration fees will also be waived for all in-state, out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers. For more information on snowmobiling, including online registration for out-of-state snowmobilers during non-promotional times, click here.
The state’s snowmobiling community generates total economic impact of approximately $868 million, according to a 2011 study by the State University at Potsdam. The promotional weekend will provide a boost to local small businesses and help to promote the state’s vast network of snowmobile trails, which are groomed and maintained by more than 230 local snowmobile clubs across the New York State.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Governor Cuomo continues his commitment to statewide tourism promotion with this new winter marketing campaign, which proudly invites visitors to experience New York’s top-rated mountains, unique winter tourism attractions and world-class events across the State.”
Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said, “Governor Cuomo has done a tremendous job promoting how much New York has to offer to outdoor winter recreation enthusiasts. Winter is no time to stay inside. Visitors to New York will find thousands of miles of groomed snowmobile trails available to enjoy, along with countless places for skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, skating and more at State Parks across New York.”
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Winter is a great time to get out and experience the amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation in New York State, and through Governor Cuomo’s leadership the state is expanding promotion of all the activities residents and visitors to the state can enjoy. The free snowmobiling weekend is a great time to experience this sport and explore the Adirondacks, Catskills and thousands of acres of other state lands available for enjoyment while supporting the local economies that depend on this much needed tourism revenue.”
New York State Snowmobile Association Executive Director Dominic Jacangelo said, “Thank you Governor for once again declaring and promoting a ‘Free Snowmobiling Weekend’ in New York. I am sure that once out-of-staters try our great New York Trail system they will be back year after year”
Individuals operating a snowmobile should be familiar with safe riding practices and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. The best way to learn is by taking a snowmobile safety course. A leader in snowmobile education, New York State offers an operator training course for snowmobilers to ensure the safety of riders and other trail users. To find a course, click here. A safety certificate is required for youth between ages 10 and 18.