Westchester County tourism spending has broken records two years in a row!

Visitor spending in Westchester County hit a record high in 2015, soaring to $1.8 billion; an increase of $60 million over 2014’s own record-breaking high.

Tourism has contributed $10.1 billion to the economy since 2009, and just in 2015, this flourishing industry supported more than 24,000 jobs.

Natasha Caputo, Director of Westchester County Tourism & Film, said the county’s success as a tourism destination is the result of great industry partners that offer top-notch accommodations, restaurants and cultural and entertainment attractions for every age and budget.

Tourism Industry = Hotels + More 
Hotel activity in the county reached new levels in 2015, with room demand leaping 8% to 1.7 million. Hotel occupancy rose from 70.0% to 72.7%; hotel average daily rate remained even at $160.02.

Tourism includes many industry sectors. In 2015, lodging expenditures soared 9%; food and beverage and recreation grew 6%; and transportation spending increased 3%.

Sector Taxes Drive Local Economy
All this revenue from the travel and tourism sector continues to be a significant driver of the county’s economy. Local taxes (hotel occupancy, sales and property) and state taxes generated by the industry totaled $216.7 million in 2015. In the last five years, the industry contributed more than half a billion dollars to local tax coffers.

What’s New?

To keep up with demand, Westchester County’s travel and tourism industry is growing, with projects including multi-million dollar renovations at: the Westchester Marriott in White Plains, the Holiday Inn in Mount Kisco, the Sheraton in Tarrytown, the Doral Arrowwood Resort in Rye Brook, and The Westchester Mall in White Plains; plus a $500,000 renovation of the Crowne Plaza in White Plains.

Westchester’s local municipalities are also enhancing their tourism products. Yonkers is constructing two new hotels — the Hampton Inn & Suites and the Courtyard by Marriott – and the City of Peekskill recently invested almost $11 million in parks, museums, and trails.

Bordering New York City and surrounded by the beauty of the Hudson River Valley, Westchester County provides the best of both worlds: a first-class business destination with both happening urban locations and country retreat settings. Come see what all the excitement is about!