Visitor Spending Tops $1.4 Billion In Oneida County In 2016

Tourism is big business in Oneida County.

A recent study released by Empire State Development and the I Love NY Division of Travel and Tourism shows visitor spending in Oneida County increased by nearly nine percent last year to more than $1.4 billion last year.

In Oneida County, all industry sectors saw an increase and generated the following visitor spending in 2016:

• Lodging, $411 million
• Recreation, $375 million
• Food & Beverage, $253 million
• Retail & Service, $316 million
• Transportation, $42 million
• Second Homes, $21 million

“We were thrilled to see the growth reflected in the 2016 research. An 8.8% increase in visitor spending is remarkable growth across the industry sustaining jobs, sales tax receipts and household wages in Oneida County,” said Kelly Blazosky, President of Oneida County Tourism. “Tourism is economic development. Recent investments in new lodging facilities, restaurants, expansion at the AUD, coupled with successful regional campaigns like BrewCentralNY.com and BikeThruHistory.com will continue to position Oneida County a rising destination and a leader in the state’s travel industry.”

The report also found tourism supported over 19,000 direct and indirect jobs in the County, generating $810 million in wages.