VIA New York Times: Gov. Eliot Spitzer introduced a new program to promote tourism throughout New York State to residents of the Big Apple. ” State tourism officials are hoping a revitalized jingle campaign will inspire city-dwellers to pack their bags and head to upstate locales like the Central-Leatherstocking District, named for the novels of James Fenimore Cooper (the “Leatherstocking Tales,” including “Last of the Mohicans” and “The Deerslayer”) and home to attractions like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown (“a truly fascinating place” founded by the novelist’s father.)”
By the governor’s tally, there are 44 million tourists who come to New York for what amounts to a $43 billion industry employing 750,000 residents. While the push was once to get people to spend in the city, the thrust here is “get out of town.”
Because tourism spans so many industries, few economists or politicians understand the true power that the sector has. Clearly Spitzer recognizes the true value of tourism.
What’s more, As Mark Twain wrote in Innocents Abroad:“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…(but) broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
At TURKEL we specialize in tourism marketing specifically because we believe it makes the world a better place. I’m thrilled that Gov. Spitzer agrees.