September has been a very busy month.  FLVC is currently hosting four travel writers from around the world!  Kalyan Patra and Supriya Mukherjee were here September 15-19 from India and write for a magazine called Srishti-Creativity in Nature. Kalyan and Supriya are returning guests. Their last visit to the Finger Lakes was in mid-February 2004.  Seeing the different seasons has impressed them. Terry Zinn is here from Oklahoma City, September 17-24, traveling throughout the Finger Lakes writing for his articles entitled, "Travels with Terry" in Bethany Magazine.  Terry is also the past president of the International Food & Wine Travel Writers Association. On Wednesday, September 24th, in partnership with I Love NY and Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, Mr. Horst Dieter-Ebert, senior editor for a popular Food & Wine magazine (Der Feinschmecker) in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be our guest and touring many of our local attractions, hotels and restaurants here in Ontario County. Thanks to everyone who has graciously offered to host and tour our guests. 

 

Economic Impact Study Released 

Tourism Economics (An Oxford Ecnomics Company) has released its 2008 Economic Impact of Tourism in New York State report. Tourism growth for the Finger Lakes Region was up 5% in total tourism sales. Good news for Ontario County! In 2007 Ontario County overall direct sales reported an increase of 8.3% over 2006. A breakdown within the 2007 direct sales category showed Lodging up 8% over 2006; Recreation up 11% over 2006, Food & Beverage up 9% over 2006 and Retail & Service Station up 11%. The complete Economic Impact report is available online at  2008 Economic Impact of Tourism in New York State.

 

Now is the time to recognize and reward those who do a great job for us in tourism. Honor your peers and our industry's valuable personalities and contributions. Nomination forms are available online at http://www.visitfingerlakes.com/partners.

 

Packages Wanted for E-Newsletter Marketing Campaign  

The Visitors Connection will be starting its next series of six E-newsletter blasts beginning in early September. The newsletters will be sent to visitors who have signed up at travel shows or on our website to receive packages and special deals from the Finger Lakes.  I am looking for new overnight packages to feature along with area attractions and events in these e-newsletters.  Themes for the newsletters will include: culinary, fall events, girlfriend's getaways, winter fun, getaway gift ideas for holiday shopping and ski and stay.  Please send your packages, events, specials or "hot deals" no later than October 1st to pat@visitfingerlakes.com

 

Mark your calendars for November 5, 2008 for the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection Tourism Legacy Awards presentations and our Annual Marketing Day at Bristol Harbour.  This year's program will be in two parts: a luncheon to announce the 2008 Tourism Legacy  Awards followed by an afternoon Marketing Day featuring lots of new great tourism information, trends, and outlooks for 2009. The Marketing Day program will also feature keynote speaker, Kim Ehrlich of Milestone Marketing. You won't want to miss it!

 

Social media continues to grow in importance. In a recent sturdy 48% of travelers read user reviews for hotels and lodging BEFORE booking their stay, according to AOL/Zogby. Have you checked YOUR review lately?

 

Randall Travel Marketing Tip