We locals have it pretty good on Long Island… so good in fact, that we tend to forget the paradise that exists in our own backyards. Yesterday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced a collaborative effort to relaunch the Stay Suffolk local tourism campaign. Stay Suffolk is designed to target Suffolk County residents, reminding us of the many wonderful amenities which are available right here at home.
“It is easy to take living in our region for granted. When most people think of vacation spots, they do not often think of their own backyards… However, Suffolk County is home to wonderful destinations, such as world-class beaches, wine country, pristine golf courses, our vibrant downtowns and much more. By exploring all the activities our region has to offer, you can have a perfect vacation without the expense of long-distance travel, and most importantly, support our local tourism industry that generates nearly $2.9 billion for Suffolk County each year.” – Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone
The Stay Suffolk campaign is a cooperative effort made possible by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Wayne Horsley of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, Long Island Wine Council and the Suffolk County Department of Parks. The campaign hopes to enhance Suffolk County’s $5.3 Billion dollar tourism industry, through the promotion of local amenities directed at residents.
“We are happy to support the Stay Suffolk Initiative to encourage local residents to enjoy the endless tourism amenities in their own backyard… Tourism is a critical economic driver that supports 120,000 Long Island jobs and generates $600 million in local and state tax revenues, so when we Stay Suffolk and support local businesses, we all benefit from the results.” – Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO, Kristen Jarnagin.
Local Tourism is responsible for attracting some 9.1 million visitors to Suffolk County annually. In addition, the industry generates approximately 120,000 jobs, (40,000 jobs in Suffolk County annually) according to a study conducted by Tourism Economics through Empire State Development. Over $352 million in local and state taxes are generated in Suffolk County alone through tourism.
“The East End of Long Island has quickly become one of the top destinations for high quality wine and food and we welcome visitors to come meet our winemakers, taste our product and spend time with our community. What makes our wine region so unique is the diversity of our wines and experiences that our producers offer to visitors. Families and wine aficionados alike can be treated to a world class experience, all while enjoying the beauty of Long Island.” – Ali Tuthill of the Long Island Wine Council.
About The Campaign:
The Stay Suffolk campaign will primarily consist of unique User generated content via interactive and social media. By implementing the hashtag #StaySuffolk, the relaunch encourages residents to post pictures on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, documenting their favorite local vacation spots. The interactive media campaign will include weekly offers and information on Suffolk County destinations, to be posted on County Executive Bellone’s Facebook page.
For more information on the Stay Suffolk local tourism campaign, visit StaySuffolkLI.com DiscoverLongIsland.com and www.SuffolkCountyNY.gov,