NYSTIA New York State Tourism Conference 2023 Takeaway: The Great Outdoors

April 27, 2023

BBG&G had the honor of sharing SEO Best Practices at the NYSTIA New York State Tourism Conference 2023 and hearing from travel and tourism industry leaders. It was inspiring to listen to what’s happening in New York and gain new insights for our clients.

We heard about the exciting proposal to turn Lake Ontario into a National Marine Sanctuary, but learning about New York State’s outdoor experiences was the most exciting.

During the “NYS: The Best of America’s Great Outdoors” panel, we heard from representatives from Campground Owners of New York, the Finger Lakes, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, and more. Here’s what we learned:

1. Camping is a growing trend – it’s good for you both in body and mind.

Camping is a relationship-building opportunity to learn and develop new skills. It helps families unplug and get away from screens, connect with nature, and reduce stress. Don Bennett from Campground Owners of New York (CONY) shared some interesting statistics:

In 2021, 40% of all leisure trips taken were camping
More campers are working during their trip
57 million active camper households in the US in 2021
More than 1/3 of new campers said that COVID was the impetus to start camping
Camping is perceived as a safer way to travel

In addition, there is a boom in using RVs:

77% traveled in an RV they own
8% borrowed from friends or family
5% rented from a company “Cruise America” and the like
10% rented from a private owner using a peer-to-peer listing service

People are also seeking more amenities from their campgrounds to enhance their experience:

WiFi access since working from the camper or on the trip has risen dramatically
Glamping tents, Yurts, Cabins, and Cottages are being added to the mix
Golf Cart rentals
Car charging stations

2. State Park visitation is on the rise.

Fred Bonn from the Finger Lakes, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation shared that in 2022 there were 79.5 million visitors at state parks – up 1 million from 2021. Fred also shared a great free resource for visitors to plan adventures and stay connected across NYS properties; the Park Explorer App.

3. 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.

There will be a Total Solar Eclipse in April 2024 – national publications naming Niagara Falls and Buffalo as key spots to experience the Line of Totality.

4. Bicycling continues to be a popular outdoor activity.

Dylan Carey, the Greenway Program Director, Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), shared that approximately 48 million people bicycle recreationally per year, contributing $96.7 billion per year to the national economy. Also:

The Erie Canalway Trail generates $253 million in sales per year
75% spend 6 or more nights on the trail
88% spend at least 1 night in a hotel or B&B
60% are between 50-69
53% come from households that earn $100k
End-to-enders report spending an average of $230 per day

5. 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal.

The Erie Canal will be celebrating its bicentennial in 2025.

As Laura DiBetta from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) said outdoor recreation is “sticky”; once someone begins to participate, they are likely to continue to participate. And that’s what makes the great outdoors so great for tourism. We’re excited to see what else is to come for the NYS Great Outdoors initiative!

By Kayla, Marketing Manager | April 27, 2023