Warmer weather is here and many New Yorkers are starting to look forward to their summer travel plans. Cities, towns, and businesses are all preparing for residents and tourists to flock to their areas.
Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendell will also join Marisa Jacques to discuss small business support for the tourist season.
Wendell estimates that nearly $500 million annually flows into Chautauqua County because of the presence of Lake Chautauqua and Lake Erie and the tourism opportunities they provide. Wendell estimates that more than 90 percent of the tourism options in the county involve the outdoors. Chautauqua Institute is also bringing an economic boom to the county.
“For us, tourism is an important and integral part of everything we do,” Wendell said.
When it comes to supporting local businesses, Wendell said many of them are affiliated with the Chautauqua County Tourism Authority, which helps promote and market them outside of the county.
The National Comedy Center is also expanding its marketing reach into the Pittsburgh area.
He also spoke about the importance of short-term rentals, which have exploded in popularity over the past few years.
You can watch Wendell’s full interview in the video above. Also, get an inside look at the biggest issues impacting upstate New York on Spectrum News 1’s In Focus every Sunday.
