Oneida County tourism rebounds, according to state report

UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County tourism is doing well and exceeding 2019 levels in several areas, according to the state’s Economic Impact of Visitors 2022 Report completed by Tourism Economics.

The state welcomed 291.5 million visitors in 2022, the largest number of visitors in the state’s history, and they generated more than $78.6 billion in direct spending and $123 billion in total economic impact.

“Tourism is booming in Oneida County and across New York state, and we are so excited to continue to grow and promote ourselves as a destination that travelers want to visit,” Oneida County Tourism President Sarah Foster Calero said in a press release. “From our world-class attractions and incredible signature events to unique places to stay and year-round outdoor adventures, we’re able to offer every type of visitor a unique experience. Additionally, the Utica University Nexus Center is allowing us to delve into sports tourism, and the events taking place there have a tremendous economic impact on Oneida County. Families come for a tournament and, in turn, spending money at our great local restaurants, coffee shops, and other businesses while exploring all we have to offer.”

Oneida County represents 75 percent of the region’s tourism sales, with $3.5 billion in direct tourism spending. Relative to 2019, traveler spending was up 30 percent in the county.

Tourism in the Central New York region generated $1.2 billion in direct labor income and $1.9 billion including indirect spending and induced impacts. Total labor income including indirect and induced impacts was most significant in Oneida County at $1.4 billion.

Oneida County produced the most tourism-related jobs in the region with 37,030 jobs.

For the CNY region, tourism generated $482 million in state and local taxes, including $229 million in sales, property, and bed taxes. Oneida County constituted 71.3 percent of the region’s tourism tax base.

As a result of those taxes, the average household in Oneida County was spared from paying an additional $1,637 to maintain the same level of government revenue.

“Oneida County is a major tourism destination, and more visitors are flocking here than ever before,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. said in a release. “Thanks to draws like the Turning Stone Resort Casino, the Adirondack Bank Center, and host of outdoor recreation and multi-ethnic dining options, we accounted for the vast majority of Central New York’s tourism sales last year, and our traveler spending saw the largest increase in the state. With the Utica University Nexus Center now welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors from all across North America, those numbers will skyrocket even further. We can’t wait to welcome them all and show off what we have to offer.”