County seeing big increase in tourism spending
12 percent gain led Greater Niagara Region; Residents urged to be ambassadors for Orleans County
Photos by Tom Rivers: These fishermen try to catch trout and salmon on Oct. 21 at Johnson Creek in Lyndonville near the dam. Fishing is Orleans County’s top draw for visitors.
MEDINA – Orleans County experienced 12 percent growth in visitor spending in 2023 compared to the previous year, the biggest gain among the five counties in the Greater Niagara Region, according to a report from Tourism Economics.
Orleans has been stepping up its promotion efforts and the work is paying off, Tourism Director Dawn Borchert told about 125 people during the Legislative Luncheon on Friday at Bent’s Opera House. The event is coordinated by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. Niagara County was right behind Orleans with an 11.7 percent gain.
Dawn Borchert, the county’s tourism director, talks about the county’s bicentennial and shows the cover of the new tourism guide. The cover includes a photo of 1906 “Old Home Days” in Medina, the Seneca Chief canal boat in Medina, a harvest luncheon at Hurd Orchards in Holley, and two fishing buddies. Brian Stratton, the canal commissioner for the state, is at left.
In Orleans County, the visitor spending totaled $42 million in 2023. That breakdown includes $3 million for lodging, $8 million for recreation, $15 million for food and beverage, $6 million at retail and service stations, $1 million in transportation, and $10 million for second homes used for income, according to the report.
The totals for the five counties in visitor spending in Greater Niagara Region include:
- Erie, $2.423 billion
- Niagara, $1.082 billion
- Genesee, $140 million
- Wyoming, $71 million
- Orleans, $42 million
Orleans County’s biggest draw is fishing, and anglers trying to catch trout, salmon and other fish accounted for an economic impact of $28 million in 2017, according to a survey by the DEC. With inflation factored in that impact is now about $34 million a year, Borchert said.
The county is promoting more than fishing. This year’s tourism guide is hot off the presses and arrived Friday. It was distributed to many people at the legislative luncheon. The guide celebrates the county’s bicentennial in 2025.
There are 35,000 copies that will be distributed at Thruway rest stops in New York and Pennsylvania, and airports in Buffalo, Rochester and Niagara Falls, as well as trade shows. The guides also will be available in the county at local businesses, libraries and the tourism office at the County Office Building.
The guide was bumped up by 12 pages to 60 to celebrate more facets of the county on its 200th anniversary. It highlights all 10 towns and four villages, as well as agri-tourism, art galleries, campgrounds, the Erie Canal, history and heritage, marinas and yacht clubs, prominent local memorials and monuments, local trails, parks and the wildlife refuge.
Borchert said revenue from the county’s bed tax has helped increase promotion efforts. That bed tax money is used to match state funding from I Love NY.
The county imposes a 4 percent “bed tax” on lodging. That revenue has been increasing.
- $51,002 in 2018
- $58,424 in 2019
- $58,438 in 2020
- $79,102 in 2021
- $111,013 in 2022
- $119,003 in 2023
County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said tourism promotion is a factor the county and local residents have some control over, unlike any of the mandated programs and policies from the state and federal governments.
Many visitors describe Orleans County as “cozy, charming and under-the-radar,” Johnson said.
She would like to raise Orleans County’s profile, and she welcomed residents and businesses to be part of that and serve as Orleans ambassadors in their conversations and social media posts.
“Through your friends, your social media accounts, your business networks and elsewhere, let’s be sure we all invite people to visit Orleans County and enjoy all we have to offer,” Johnson told the crowd at the luncheon.
