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.<\/p>\n
A statement issued today blames cuts to the “I Love New York” program, describing the closure as “another victim of New York State\u2019s budget crisis.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Funding for the Center was eliminated from the State\u2019s 2010 budget, and the ARTC can no longer afford to operate the facility, according to ARTC Executive Director Ron Ofner.<\/p>\n
With the favorable Canadian currency exchange rate, visitors from Canada have been heading south in record numbers, Ofner said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s certainly frustrating that no one will be at the center to help direct visitors to Adirondack destinations,\u201d Ofner added. \u201cInstead 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ofner remains optimistic that the Center will be able to provide services to visitors to New York State again in the near future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a question of priorities, and obviously, keeping the Center open has not been a priority for the State at this time.\u201d According to Ofner, some funding for the Center is making its way through the system, though when it will arrive is unknown.<\/p>\n