A recent study on the economic impact of tourism in New York showed that visitor spending in Oneida County totaled $2.7 billion in 2021.

The Economic Impact Study of Tourism in New York for 2021 was conducted by Tourism Economics and released by Empire State Development and the New York State Division of Tourism.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism revenue in Oneida County was steadily increasing annually. Oneida County suffered a $300 million loss in tourism revenue in 2020 due to the pandemic. On the heels of an economic recovery, 2021 proved to be a pivotal and successful year as the local economy rebounded from the financial losses from 2020, gaining an additional $1.3 billion in tourism revenue.

“From 2017, we were at $1.5 billion, 2018 we were at $1.6 [billion], 2019 we were at $1.7 [billion] and then we did drop in 2020 to 1.4 [billion], but we had considerably less loss than other parts of the state,” said President of Oneida County Tourism Kelly Blazosky.

From the total $2.7 billion tourists spent in Oneida County in 2021, almost half was spent on lodging accommodations. Leisure, shopping and dining remained strong, while transportation and real estate revenue enjoyed mild financial success.

• Lodging — $1.2 billion
• Recreation — $645 million
• Retail and service — $460 million
• Food and beverage — $365 million
• Transportation — $42 million
• Second Homes — $31 million

“Tourism is essential to the economy of Oneida County and this study shows that we are in an incredibly strong position right now, thanks to visitor spending increasing at a higher rate than anywhere else in the state,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.

With major projects and investments currently underway throughout Oneida County, Picente is anticipating even more financial gains as a result.

“The future is even brighter, as we prepare for the boon that the Nexus Center will bring in the fall, and the rest of the development of the U-District that will follow, including the county’s food emporium at the REA Wing of Union Station,” Picente added.