PROMOTE TOURISM TO VISITORS AROUND THE WORLD BY SHOWCASING THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY AS A WORLD CLASS DESTINATION

Challenge:  The Hudson Valley is New York’s third highest draw for tourism dollars into the state, after New York City and Long Island.   This $4.7 billion dollar business is the result of a patchwork of local and sectoral efforts, without a fraction of the regional coordination that could be developed.   In spite of its scale, the industry lacks clout in the absence of a concerted regional effort.  Small businesses struggle to grow and many natural and cultural attractions are poorly maintained.  The rich assets of the Valley are not linked in a regional system that can connect tourists with destinations, activities and resources in a coherent way, so the promise of the place is not met.

Create a system for tourism development that builds capacity and resources

• Market a “Follow the River” brand as a unifying theme with funding for marketing and capacity building.  The brand will draw people to the outdoors, arts, culture, commerce and downtowns.

• Create transportation links to railroads (i.e. shuttles and buses, appropriate parking, bicycles, zipcars).

• Establish transportation links and access to river.  These links could include new docking for sightseeing boats, river recreation, etc.

• Cultivate cross-marketing sites, such as restaurants, hotels and main streets to increase tourism visitation.

• Expand partnerships with Hudson Valley Tourism to include regional tourism, development, and business groups.

Create “Hudson River Valley & Co.,” a regional Destination Marketing organization, in cooperation with and a complement to Hudson Valley Tourism (HVT), Hudson Valley Greenway, and Hudson Valley National Heritage area

• A non-profit membership organization to engage the private sector.
• To work to build the infrastructure, for example, required for such things as waterborne tourism i.e. the eco-docks program, etc.
• To complement the efforts of HVT to work with New York City, Ontario, Quebec, Mohawk Valley, and Champlain Valley.

Preserve, maintain and enhance the historic and natural assets of the Hudson Valley.

• Develop funding mechanisms to preserve and maintain historic sites, and restore natural assets that can enhance quality of life and place.

• Integrate with the overall community planning process.

Develop short-term strategy to support existing businesses and a long-term strategy to attract a program of assistance and support for businesses in the industry here now, and for attraction of appropriate businesses that fit with the Valley’s strategy and culture.

• Offer financing advice and assistance.

• Provide space and relocation services.

• Support new businesses with community orientation, welcoming, contacts and information.

Develop an international tourism brand

• Translate the brand to varied audiences, taking advantage of the relationships that arise from the Quadricentennial’s connections with Europe, as well as international connections such as the Countryside Exchange, and the linkages of trade and expertise in the priority industry clusters such as agriculture (agritourism) and green technology.

• Funding is obtained from new creative sources for marketing, multilingual guidebooks and attending international trade fairs.

• Link for innovation, conferences, and knowledge exchange connecting the recreation/ tourism world with other dimensions of economic & cultural development