Visitors To Oneida County Spent $1.2 Billion In 2013

Visitors to Oneida County in 2013 spent $1.2 billion according to a report by Empire State Development and the I Love New York division of Travel and Tourism.

That amounts to more than 61% of of the Central New York region's tourism sales.

The report says tourism in the area also supported more than 18,349 jobs or 17.7% of all employment in Oneida County.

Recreation and Retail were the highest grossing, bringing in a combined $658 million to local businesses.

The report also show Oneida County residents saw about $1,500 in tax savings per household in 2013, generated by visitor spending.

Here's a breakdown of visitor spending in Oneida County in 2013:

• Lodging                   $264 million
• Recreation              $371 million
• Food & Beverage    $198 million
• Retail & Service      $287 million
• Transportation         $41 million
• Second Homes       $18 million

“We are working very hard to make Oneida County a destination for tourists and a center for travelers of all kinds,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. “We have outstanding attractions and some wonderful facilities here in the county, and we have reinvigorated our efforts at promoting the great places to see and stay here in the county. Making the most of our vast tourism potential is a work that has begun with some great efforts by Oneida County Tourism and our community partners. We are very encouraged by this data and we can see great tourist attractions gaining momentum all around us, whether it is snowmobiling, Utica Comets, AHL All Star Game or the exciting things happening in our agri-tourism industry.”

 

New York State's tourism economy expanded by 5.3% overall in 2013, and the Central New York Vacation region represents 3% of visitor spending in the state annually.