KINGSTON, N.Y. (June 19, 2013) — Ulster County Executive Mike Hein today announced the publication of a brand new Ulster County Cultural Heritage Guide, which details the wide variety of fascinating cultural heritage tourism opportunities in the area.
“Ulster County has an amazing history and we welcome everyone to come and explore,” said County Executive Hein. “From the place where New York State’s first Senate met to ratify the State constitution to museums that tell the story of our industrial past, there are so many ways to fully enjoy the culture of Ulster County. This is one reason why our city’s waterfront, special towns and quaint villages have become people all over the world’s favorite vacation destinations.”
Ulster County, known for its rich cultural history, is home to a number of historic sites from the Revolutionary War and Civil War, as well as important landmarks of the nation’s agricultural, industrial and political past. Its cultural heritage hotspots include historic sites, theaters, galleries, museums, galleries and parks which have inspired countless visitors to the area, as well as artists, musicians and writers. The new Cultural Heritage Guide makes planning visits to these sites easy. It gives readers a glimpse into each landmark, along with contact information and a brief write-up. It also breaks down the sites into easy-to-navigate geographical regions.
Cultural heritage tourism has a significant economic impact on communities, as well. A 2009 study by Mandela Research indicated that nearly 80 percent of U.S. leisure travelers participated in some form of cultural and/or heritage activity. Cultural heritage tourists spend an average of $994 per trip.
“People who come to our area to take in the culture and history tend to stay longer and really enjoy all that Ulster County has to offer,” said Richard J. Remsnyder, director of Ulster County Tourism. “We’ve found a tremendous benefit in elevating our cultural heritage tourism, promoting our great museums, landmarks and art galleries to the benefit of both visitors and local residents. Each year, we see more and more people come to this area for a truly unique and enriching travel experience.”
“It is wonderful to see Ulster County Tourism take this step to promote cultural heritage tourism in our community,” said Jane Kellar, director of the Johnston Museum and Friends of Historic Kingston. “It’s no secret that the city of Kingston and the county overall have so much to celebrate, in terms of both their past and present. We are happy to share our traditions, history and culture with the world.”
The press conference took place at the Johnston Museum Gallery in Kingston. To learn more about Ulster County Tourism and its efforts, visit http://www.ulstercountyalive.com.
Downloadable PDF: To download a PDF of the Ulster County Cultural Heritage Guide, go to http://ulstercountyalive.com/cultural-heritage-guide
