New York Prepares for Tourism Boost from Fishing Industry

AUBURN, N.Y. (AP) — Officials in central New York anticipate a boost in tourism this summer with two competitive fishing events — one featuring Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

A four-day Bassmaster Elite Series tournament will bring professional anglers to Cayuga Lake August 21-24, 2014. On the opening day of that tourney, Cuomo will host the "Governor's Challenge" on Owasco Lake. He announced the event during his State of the State address last week, saying he and others will engage in a friendly contest to promote local tourism.

Cuomo held his first "Governor's Challenge" last summer with a whitewater rafting event in the Adirondacks.

Local tourism officials tell the Auburn Citizen that such events not only bring an immediate influx of tourist dollars, but also boost the region's reputation as a vacation destination.

(Story by: The Auburn Citizen via The Associated Press, edited by WIBX)