GEDDES — An official with Empire State Development (ESD) said some experts feared a post-COVID tourism bubble with travelers satisfying their pent-up demand for travel in 2022 and not continuing that spending going forward.

But New York state tourism showed “no sign of letting up” in 2023 and “defied any expectation” by reaching record high levels of visitation, visitor spending, economic impact and tax generation,” Ross Levi, VP and executive director of tourism at ESD, said in a state announcement.

“These successes are a tribute to the collective work of the tourism industry across the state that continues to show creativity, tenacity and resourcefulness in encouraging travelers to experience how easy it is to love New York,” Levi said.

New York state welcomed a “record-setting” 306.3 million visitors in 2023, while also setting “new historic highs” for direct visitor spending and total economic impact associated with the state’s tourism industry.

Visitors to New York contributed to a “record-high” $88 billion in direct spending and supported $137 billion in total economic impact across the state.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the data during an Aug. 28 visit to the New York State Fair in the town of Geddes.

The data, compiled in a series of reports prepared by Tourism Economics, represents “significant gains” over the then-record-setting numbers from 2022, and “far surpass” the highest numbers achieved prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hochul’s office said in its announcement.

“New York State is synonymous with tourism; it’s part of the fabric, history and economy of our incredibly diverse state,” Hochul said in the announcement. “As we approach the fall foliage and travel season, we are welcoming more visitors than ever, and their presence is supporting businesses and communities in every corner of the state.”

Last year, the total statewide economic impact of tourism reached a record-high $137 billion, representing an 11 percent jump over 2022, Hochul’s office said. Direct visitor spending was also up nearly 12 percent from $78.6 billion in 2022 to $88 billion in 2023, representing the third straight year of double-digit growth.

New York state also saw a 5 percent increase in visitation to 306.3 million travelers last year, up from 291.5 million in 2022. Additionally, state and local tax revenues generated by tourism saved the average New York State household $1,420 in taxes, Hochul’s office said.

Her office says Hochul has supported and prioritized New York’s tourism industry, calling it “one of the state’s key economic engines.” It went on to say that under Hochul’s leadership, programs like the “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” pandemic-recovery package supported travel industry businesses and employees, and brought new events to the state.

Last year, nearly $15 million in Market New York grants were awarded to 59 tourism projects and events through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Additionally, more than $14 million in grants were awarded to 30 local and regional destination-marketing organizations through the EDA Tourism Partner Sub-Awards Grant Program.

Hochul has also announced improvements to tourism infrastructure like state parks and airports, as well as I LOVE NY marketing efforts to encourage travel throughout New York state.