State cuts blamed for another North Country tourism closure
The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council is closing a tourism information center in Beekmantown near the US-Canada border that had worked to direct more visitors into the North Country.
A statement issued today blames cuts to the “I Love New York” program, describing the closure as “another victim of New York State’s budget crisis.”
Operated by the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council (ARTC) with funding from the State since it opened in 1991, the Center has welcomed millions of visitors to the Adirondack Region and New York State.
Funding for the Center was eliminated from the State’s 2010 budget, and the ARTC can no longer afford to operate the facility, according to ARTC Executive Director Ron Ofner.
With the favorable Canadian currency exchange rate, visitors from Canada have been heading south in record numbers, Ofner said.
“It’s certainly frustrating that no one will be at the center to help direct visitors to Adirondack destinations,” Ofner added. “Instead of pointing people to Plattsburgh, Lake Placid, and Lake George, visitors will pass through the region, and we miss the opportunity to have them stop and spend money in our area.”
Ofner remains optimistic that the Center will be able to provide services to visitors to New York State again in the near future.
“It’s a question of priorities, and obviously, keeping the Center open has not been a priority for the State at this time.” According to Ofner, some funding for the Center is making its way through the system, though when it will arrive is unknown.
The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council provides information about planning a vacation in the Adirondack Region. Log onto VisitAdirondacks.com to learn more about this six-million-acre wilderness.
Visitors will also find information on places to stay in the Adirondacks, lodging packages, winter events, unique Adirondack attractions and activities.
Tags: economy, nys budget, tourism
The Press Republican reports that NYS paid $190,000.00 to opererate the center last year…please, can’t we find a more effective / less expensive way to pass out brochures? Who even uses brochures to decide on vacation plans anyway?
keep it closed.
Do people really believe that Canadians heading south desperately need a tourism center to find their way to their destinations? And $190,000 to operate such a center? It’s no wonder we’re broken.
Speaking of State cuts…
This is perfect for the poster of government run healthcare…
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/12/29/2010-12-29_new_yorkers_stop_complaining_about_the_snow_city_hall_is_doing_its_best_to_recov.html
Medicare, on the other hand is a well managed government program that spends less than 10% of revenue for administration as opposed to over 20% by private insurers.
Nevertheless, these information centers are a waste of money, let them showcase and sell local products or something usefull instead of handing out brochures designed and produced by overpaid civil service workers. $190,000.00 would buy a lot of apples and cheese.
This is another case of duplication of services. Google NY tourism and you’ll come up with a bazillion hits. Each county, region, many towns and villages and cities have tourism agencies. This is just another duplicate agency, a waste of time and money. While I hope no one loses their job out of this, that $190K would put fuel oil in a lot of low income and elderly peoples furnaces.