| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 21/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 49 |
| Copyright: Other |
New york state overview by Alan Moore
US state urges visitors to take a scenic route
Region explores a new range of itineraries
NEW York State has long languished in the shadow of New York City, Niagara and the neighbouring New England region.However, all that could change with the introduction of a range of independent touring itineraries. The state wants to promote these modules to UK operators as self-drive add-ons to New York City stays.
The New York State Division of Tourism lists the region’s top selling points as outdoor adventure and recreational sport, the Appalachian Trail – for hiking and biking – top golf resorts, whale watching and historic towns and villages.
In addition, it is flagging up the beaches of Long Island, the Hudson Valley and river, with its historic mansions and West Point Military Academy, and also the region known as the Finger Lakes.
These can be included in a variety of itineraries, some of which can be combined for one and two-week stays in the state.
Other highlights include the wine trails of the Greater Niagara region, the Falls and scenic mountain routes through the Catskills and the Adirondacks range. But few tour operators give the area brochure space, preferring to concentrate on the more widely known eastern US touring regions.
Funway Holidays managing director Stephen Hughes said: “New York State is not as popular for flydrive touring holidays as New England or the Capital region of Virginia, Maryland and Washington.
“The itineraries need better exposure, which means marketing support from the state tourism organisation.”
Premier Holidays says it features a seven-night Great Eastern Cities coach tour that takes in areas of the state such as Binghampton and the Finger Lakes on the drive between New York City and Niagara.
Premier’s US product manager Debbie Goffin said: “The fourth and fifth-time visitor to the USis the type of client looking at this sort of region but generally knowledge on the area is fairly low.
“It is justifiable as a secondary destination as part of a tour but we only offer New York state stand alone if it is a tailor-made request.”
The potential demand for a twin-centre break combining the city with parts of New York state is already there, according to Sarah Handy, UK marketing representative for the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau, recently renamed NYC and Company.
On the road: New York State Division of Tourism is targeting the flydrive market
factfile
Sample itinerary
Historic upstate New York day one: drive along the Hudson River from New York City to Albany,visiting the State Capitol, Empire State Plaza and the Corning Tower Observation Deck for views of the Hudson River Valley and the Adirondack Mountains.
Other suggested options include a four-day Adirondack Mountain Adventure; four-day Greater Niagara and Buffalo Region itinerary; and a four-day Waterways Adventure, including some of the Finger Lakes, Thousand Islands and the Seaway Trail.
Seasonal colour: there are numerous regional driving routes