Tourism revenue in Broome, Chenango counties signals rebound from COVID-19 Pandemic
Both counties recorded significant increases in traveler spending in 2022, exceeding 2019 data.
BINGHAMTON (WBNG) -- New data published by Empire State Development from 2022 indicated tourism has officially bounced back after the devastating impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
In Broome and Chenango counties, traveler spending and overall economic impact in 2022 exceeded pre-pandemic data from 2019 as travelers returned to the area.
“COVID-19 decimated the travel and tourism industry because of all the lockdowns, so you weren’t able to get on a plane to go somewhere,” said Director of Visit Binghamton Judi Hess. “I don’t think that was how quickly any of us thought we would rebound.”
In 2019, Visit Binghamton marked a record year for tourism in Broome County, with $332 million spent by travelers, according to the report. One global health pandemic and two years later, travelers spent $373 million in 2022. The 115% increase relative to 2019 signals that travelers are back.
“Our regular attractions like Animal Adventure Park and the Ross Park Zoo are back with their full operations and are starting to see numbers that they had pre-COVID,” Hess said.
Similar trends are also happening in Chenango County, which saw a $10 million increase in traveler spending from 2019 to 2022. President & CEO of Commerce Chenango Salvatore Testani said that no single aspect of tourism is responsible for the increase, but instead, the food and beverage, lodging, recreation, retail and transportation all come together for the tourist experience.
“I think about the impact everywhere, not just the hotels, but all businesses that rely on an influx of people coming from the area that want not only to visit but spend money here,” Testani said.
Tourism in the Central New York region, which the study considers Broome and Chenango counties to be a part of, generated $1.2 billion in direct labor income in local economies. Hess believes that many local residents don’t realize the value that tourism brings to a community.
“We’re bringing in meetings and conventions and sporting events and all sorts of different groups of people coming into the area. It really does help the locals,” she said. “The more visitors we can have come into the community, it really benefits our locals.”