Travel Industry Starts To See Recovery

With the economy being what it is, any good news becomes very good news. Recent research provided by the New York State Division of Tourism indicates the travel and tourism industry may be starting to experience a recovery.

Bookings are on the increase. Travelers are confirming their travel plans and locking in their reservations as we move into further into the summer, a sure sign consumer confidence is on the rise.

In a recent survey, 40% of the consumers contacted said they plan to travel more this summer than last. 46% will travel the same amount with only 14% traveling less.

On a cautionary note, 84% of the respondents indicated while traveling the same amount or more, their overall spending will be less compared to last year.

Travel distances have been impacted with many deciding to stay closer to home. Only 33% of the consumer’s surveyed plan to travel outside their region of the U.S. and just 11% will be going overseas.

These findings certainly don’t mean all of the economic problems are behind us but it is encouraging to see some positive movement in at least one segment of the economy.

Taking a Stroll in Downtown Cortland

Just in time for a summer stroll the Cortland County Historical Society has produced a gem of a brochure titled “An Historical Walking Tour of Downtown Cortland, New York”.

The brochure highlights some of the architectural features of downtown that have managed to withstand the renovations and ravages of time which have altered the look of so many small towns. A great way to use the brochure is to try and spot some of the unique features that were created by artisans over 100 years ago as part of the buildings design. These features include gargoyles, Indians and floral motifs just to name a few.

Copies of the Walking Tour brochure can be picked up at the Suggett House Museum at 25 Homer Ave. in Cortland or the Convention and Visitors Bureau office at 37 Church St. If you would like a copy mailed call the Visitors Bureau office at 800-859-2227.

Jets Training Camp Creates Windfall for Cortland Area

When the New York Jets arrive for pre-season training camp on July 31st, it will create a substantial economic windfall for Cortland County and the surrounding areas. To be entirely accurate the impact isn’t technically a true “windfall” because it didn’t happen by chance but rather through hard work on the part of the administration and staff at S.U.N.Y. Cortland, the local organizing committee made up of the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce, Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cortland Regional Sports Council and the local municipalities. What makes this unexpected good fortune especially exciting is in how many ways it will impact the Cortland community.

The most notable effect will be the new dollars flowing in to the community thanks to the thousands of Jets fans that will be visiting. Based on an estimated 2,000 fans attending practice each day, with some staying for multiple days, the total amount generated over the three weeks the Jets will be here could exceed $4 million. Factor in sales tax and the picture is even rosier, an economic shot in the arm that many, many communities would love to experience.

For S.U.N.Y Cortland it will be an opportunity to showcase an exceptional athletic facility and campus and not just to potential students. There are any number of scenarios that could develop from a Jet fan walking through the gates, whether it might be a future athletic event on campus, a vendor who might do business with the college or someone who could possibly become a future staff or faculty member. They say the challenge in business is to get them through the door and in this instance there will thousands coming through the door. Who knows what the potential might be.

This will also be a tremendous chance to sell the Cortland community. How often do you have so many visitors arrive at your doorstep? Communities will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to get visitors to spend time with them and here we have an opportunity being handed to us. For most Jets fans this will be their first trip to our area. The challenge will be to insure they have a great time while they are here and that we provide them a reason to come back and visit again during the year.

If you would like to experience Jets Training Camp 2009, it will run from July 31st until Aug. 21st. Practices are twice a day at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. with the exception of Aug. 12- 16 when the team will be away for an exhibition game with the St. Louis Rams. The highlight of training camp will be the Green/White Scrimmage on Aug. 6th. Practices are free and open to the public. There is a $5 parking fee to benefit the S.U.N.Y Foundation. For additional information visit www.cortlandsport.org/jets.

Marketing Assistant Joins Staff

The Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau has welcomed an addition to the staff. Through the AmeriCorp program, Erica DeMott is the new Marketing Assistant at 37 Church St. She will be assisting Jim Dempsey with writing press releases, designing publications, advertising Cortland County and other responsibilities as they pop up.

A 2002 graduate of SUNY Purchase, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and experience in publication design. On campus she was co-editor of her school newspaper and editor of the campus’ only weekly publication, an 8-page spread. As a junior she was given the chance to design a poetry review book and as a senior she was offered the opportunity to design advertisements for The New York Times’ education department.

While with the CVB, Erica has worked on the advertising campaign for the Lincoln in Paint and Print event held in May. She utilized the internet to its fullest by using email contacts and purchasing space on travel websites and news sites.

“The internet can be a very effective and affordable advertising tool for those on a very small budget,” according to DeMott.

While on the subject of the internet, Erica will work with the Convention and Visitors Bureau in keeping the Convention and Visitors Bureau website current. She will be involved in social networking marketing opportunities and other creative ways to promote Cortland County.

Erica is a welcomed addition to the staff and will bring a new prospective to the CVB’s marketing efforts.

Events

August

August 19-29, Forever Plaid
A heavenly musical presented by the Cortland Repertory Theatre, Dwyer Park, Little York. The play centers on four young singers killed in a car crash. For more information visit www.cortlandrep.org or call 1-800-427-6160.

August 19, Diamond Someday
Homer Village Green (sunshine)/Center for the Arts(rain), Homer. 7-8 pm. For more information call (607) 749-3322.

August 22-24, Cortland Celtic Festival
A Celtic celebration with pipe bands, Celtic music, vendors and games. Cortland Courthouse Park. For more information call (607) 753-3021 or visit www.cortlandcelticfestival.com.

September 

September 20, Cortland Antique Auto Show
Over 300 cars participate along with numerous flea market vendors making this one day event the perfect outing for classic car lovers. Dwyer Park, Little York.

September 26 - 27, 41st Annual CFA Cat Show
Pedigreed and household pets. Cortland Sports Complex, 4292 Fairground Rd., Cortland NY. For more information call (315) 846-5730, visit www.saltcitycatclub.org or e-mail persians@northnet.org

October 

October 1-2, NYS Draft Horse Show and Sale
An auction of tack and draft horses held at the Cortland County Fairgrounds. For more information call (607) 662-3440.

October 3-4, The Great Cortland Pumpkinfest
A celebration of the harvest season with crafters, children games, entertainment, hayrides and food. Courthouse Park, Cortland. For more information call (607) 753-8463 or visit www.cortlandpumpkinfest.org.

Let It Snow

In the middle of summer the previous snow season is a distant memory in Central New York.  But we shouldn’t be too harsh in our criticisms of this past winter or dread the coming one.

With the recent economic downturn, ski resorts in the West and New England have been feeling the effects. Contrary to the national trends our local ski areas firmly believe that the 2008-09 ski seasons was a good one.

The four local ski areas, Greek Peak, Toggenburg, Labrador Mountain and Song Mountain, see an estimated 600,000 skier visits annually and this year they  predicted they would see even more. All four mountains saw growth in lift ticket sales. “People weren’t traveling west because of the economy,” Kevin Morrin, Executive Director of Snow Sports and Sales, at Greek Peak said. “They stayed closer to home.”

The growth in skier visits is due to other reasons as well. “They know they can depend on us,” Rick Bunnell, Marketing Director for Labrador Mountain in Truxton. Our local ski areas have a long history of providing a quality skier experience and this translates into a significant impact on the local economy. According to the 2006-07 Ski Resort Industry Research Compendium, the average skier will spend $74.99 per visit. Multiply that figure by 600,000 skier visits and this means our local ski industry is generating a whopping $45 million annually. Since the regions ski areas are family owned and operated, employing local folks, a fair share of the money generated stays here.

The old adage “Every cloud has a silver lining “is certainly true in Cortland County, where snow clouds can make the cash registers ring.