Ulster County receives Achievement Award for innovative tourism website
KINGSTON, N.Y. (June 6, 2012) – County Executive Hein fully understands that tourism is a critical part of Ulster County’s economy. Since taking office, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein’s administration has redesigned the County’s tourism efforts in many ways: using the latest technology, partnering with the private sector, creating award-winning promotional campaigns, targeting promotion to the appropriate audiences and launching http://UlsterCountyAlive.com. The efforts of the County Executive’s team are working. Tourism revenue in Ulster County is steadily increasing and Ulster County won a National Association of Counties (NACO) 2012 Achievement Award for “UlsterCountyAlive.com: Revitalizing Ulster County’s Tourism Economy.”
“Ulster County offers visitors an abundance of both fun and relaxing activities,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “We have everything from hiking, biking and fishing to antiquing, berry picking and amazing cultural heritage sites. There is something great in Ulster County for everyone and we are open for business. Ulster County has a rich cultural legacy inherited from many generations. An extraordinary array of sites and structures attests to Ulster County’s Revolutionary, Civil War, industrial, agricultural and political pasts. We are honored that NACO recognized the County’s model efforts to promote all that Ulster County has to offer.”
In just the past year, Ulster County’s tourism indicators have risen substantially. Visitor spending in Ulster County has increased by 5.3 percent to $454 million. Local tax revenue from tourism in the Ulster County has grown by 4.7 percent to $28.3 million and New York State tax revenue has increased 3.5 percent to $27.6 million. Ulster County now represents 44 percent of the Catskills tourism economy (Sullivan County represents 34 percent; Greene, 14 percent; and Delaware, 8 percent).
NACO’s annual Achievement Awards Program recognizes effective and innovative programs that contribute to and enhance county governments throughout the United States. Specifically, NACO recognized that the UlsterCountyAlive website has an easy-to-use format and comprehensive information on camping, recreational activities, dining, lodging, shopping, arts and culture within the County’s borders.
The UlsterCountyAlive.com website includes comprehensive listings of all of Ulster County’s tourism assets, downloadable flipbook-style travel and dining guides, a blog, videos and stories highlighting the area’s outstanding amenities. The site’s complete rebranding includes a sleek, modern design that has helped showcase the County’s beautiful landscapes and travel opportunities.
The website also has its roots in a 2007 strategic planning effort called Ulster Tomorrow, which among other things established tourism as having great potential for spurring economic growth in the region. That effort prioritized collaboration among the County’s tourism businesses and other regional attractions and organizations in the Hudson Valley, a concept that has come to life with UlsterCountyAlive.com.
“We’re so proud to have played a part in the research, planning and implementation of UlsterCountyAlive.com,” said Joyce Minard, Chair of the Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board. “Through the hard work and cooperation of everyone who helped create it, UlsterCountyAlive.com does a terrific job of putting Ulster County’s unique character on display, and making it easy to find all of the great stuff that makes our County a must-see place to visit.”
“The 2012 NACO Achievement Award is a terrific recognition of the hard work that County Executive Hein, the Ulster County Tourism Department and the Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board have put forth in our Ulster County Alive! campaign,” said Richard J. Remsnyder, Director of Ulster County Tourism.
The Ulster County Tourism Department is dedicated to advancing the County’s tourism industry via its website and other venues. The County’s latest innovation is a new mobile site, which was released to the public on May 24. To learn more about Ulster County and to plan your next visit, go to http://UlsterCountyAlive.com/.
