The Beat

Major Anniversaries, New Attractions and Regional Welcome Centers Help Travelers Discover New Vacation Opportunities Across New York

New York, NY – January 29, 2019: With milestone celebrations planned and new attractions opening, New York State looks to welcome even more visitors this year. Commemorations are planned for the 50^th anniversaries of Woodstock and the Stonewall uprising; expansions and upgrades have improved the experience at several of the state’s 50 ski areas; and new investments in attractions, airports and infrastructure are supporting industry growth statewide.

Here's a sampling of the top reasons to visit New York State this year:…

U.S. Travel's "National Plan for Vacation Day" on January 29th encourages travel 

Pittsford, N.Y. - According to the U.S. Travel Association, more than half of Americans (52%) fail to use all of their time off, which adds up to 705 million unused vacation days. Americans who plan, and planning is key, are more likely to use all of their vacation time than non-planners.

So, U.S. Travel has committed to programming that encourages planning for vacations. Resources are available on their website to assist - including a vacation planning tool that allows users to input their number of days off and select specific dates for taking time off.

In support of this initiative, Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council, the official tourism promotion agency for the Finger Lakes as recognized by I LOVE NY, is also encouraging planning a vacation to the myriad of fabulous attractions in the Finger Lakes.

A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels Property to Open in March

The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, January 2019 … BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has added The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark to its expanding Benchmark Resorts & Hotels brand operating portfolio. Located in Monticello, in New York’s Catskill Mountains, the new property will open in March 2019 on 1,600 wooded acres, the site of the Resorts World Catskills entertainment complex. The new luxury hotel will include a state-of-the-art, two-acre indoor waterpark with activities and amenities geared to family fun. The hotel and indoor waterpark will also feature multiple dining options, a relaxing spa, a ropes course, and an entertainment arcade. Guests will have access to cutting-edge gaming at Resorts World Catskills and can tee off at the world-famous Monster Golf Course. The accommodations will include 324 luxury suites.

Events Across New York State Honor LGBTQ History and Heritage in Monumental Year for LGBTQ Pride

New York, NY – January 17, 2019: Fifty years ago this summer, a group of LGBTQ individuals stood up to discrimination at the Stonewall Inn in New York City – a pivotal moment that started the modern gay rights movement. That night became known as the Stonewall uprising, and the Stonewall Inn is now the country’s first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights. In conjunction with the anniversary this June, New York City will host WorldPride 2019, an international month-long celebration of the LGBTQ community, taking place in the United States for the first time ever.

NEW YORK CITY BALLET • THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA • THE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER

Saratoga Springs, NY (January 13, 2019) – The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) will welcome home resident companies -- New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center -- in a 2019 line-up marked by a record number of SPAC premieres of both iconic works of the classical repertoire and new works by living composers and choreographers.

New York, NY – January 14, 2019:  New York State has been named as one of the best destinations for travel in 2019 by several influential travel media outlets. Publications and resources like Frommer’s, Fodor’s, Forbes, Mic and SmarterTravel highlighted the state's plans for the "Summer of Love," celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Woodstock and the Stonewall uprising, as well as other on-trend getaways to experience year-round.

"We are proud that New York State was chosen as one of the most recommended places to visit in 2019, which underscores all there is to see and do here year-round," said Ross D. Levi, New York State's Executive Director of Tourism. "The new year is shaping up to be one of our best, thanks to new tourism offerings, exciting milestones, and investments in lodging and infrastructure, and we look forward to welcoming millions of new and returning visitors."…

Peace, Love & Posters Contest

Original Woodstock poster designer David Edward Byrd and renowned Broadway poster artist Frank “Fraver” Verlizzo to serve as judges

Bethel, NY, January 10, 2019 - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a nonprofit cultural organization located on the historic grounds of the 1969 Woodstock festival, today announced a national poster contest in celebration of the iconic festival’s 50th anniversary this year. Woodstock spawned one of the most recognizable posters of the century with its signature bird and guitar celebrating “3 Days of Peace & Music.”
 
The Peace, Love & Posters Contest invites student, amateur and professional artists to create a poster that visually expresses values of kindness, community, and our aspirations for the next fifty years. The contest opens for submissions on February 6 and ends on March 14, 2019. The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $2,500 and national exposure for their work.

An Unprecedented Celebration of the City’s Maritime History

A fleet of 12 historic and majestic tall ships from harbors across the United States, Canada, Spain, and the South Pacific will grace Canalside, Riverwalk and Erie Basin Marina for Buffalo’s inauguration as a host port of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes 2019 race from Toronto to Buffalo on July 4-7, 2019. In conjunction with the arrival of the tall ships, Basil Port of Call: Buffalo, a four-day, family-friendly celebration of the city’s maritime heritage, will take place along the downtown waterfront. Offering a unique opportunity for adults and children to view, board and explore the vessels, the festivities will feature family activities, live entertainment, historic exhibits, artisan food and beverages, and a Parade of Sail of the tall ship fleet.

Over 20,000 pounds of ice will once again be transformed into the Lake George Region’s Hottest Ice Bar and this year it’s gone to the dogs …

Bolton Landing, NY – The Ice Bar that started the trend in the Lake George Region will return to The Sagamore on January 25, 2019 for just two short weekends, January 25-26 and February 1-2.  This magnificent outdoor bar will be carved entirely out of 20,000 pounds of ice by master ice carvers and will have a very special theme this year – it will honor our four-legged, furry, canine companions.  To add to the excitement, a contest is open to the public and one lucky winner will receive a free weekend stay and a likeness their dog carved into a block of ice!…

Poughkeepsie, NY– Dutchess Tourism, Inc. (DTI) announced the release of two new brochures designed to draw attention to Dutchess County’s booming craft beverage industry and to major art and cultural venues in the Hudson Valley. Both are free and available online at DutchessTourism.com/brochures-guides-newsletters, and in print at DTI’s 18 Tourist Information Centers located throughout the county. They will also be distributed at upcoming domestic travel trade shows in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., and internationally at shows in Dublin, London and Berlin.