Visit Ithaca

Congratulations to Firelight Camps on this honor!

Glad to see the The New York Times highlight the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, one of the many amazing attractions in Tompkins County for visitors and residents, in their Great Museum Road Trip article. #VisitIthaca #travel #tourism #art

It was a big day in downtown Ithaca on Tuesday, when the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event marked the culmination of years of collaboration between government and public interest agencies to bring a project with the ability to enhance economic growth in Tompkins County for decades to come. “After 10 years of creative and innovative collaboration amongst community partners, we are excited to celebrate the grand opening of the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center project this week,” said Suzanne Smith Jablonski, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Local Development Corporation. “We are grateful to the local, state, and Federal officials and agencies who understood our vision for this important tourism economic development project, which is expected to drive nearly $150 million in new direct and induced spending in our community over the next twenty years.” Annually, the Conference Center anticipates generating more than 2,800 room nights and 6,500 conference attendees annually. The project is expected to provide economic benefit to the greater Tompkins County area, attracting visitors during the slower months and during off-peak days of Sunday through Thursday. It is anticipated the conference center will generate more than $9 million in new state and local taxes, and more than $50 million in economic impact over 20 years. In addition to the economic benefits, the energy efficient aspects of the conference center and accompanying apartment units meet climate and housing goals in the community. The conference center is the first all-electric one of its kind in the United States, including its commercial kitchen. The 181 energy-efficient Asteri Ithaca apartment units are affordable to households earning up to 80% or less of the area median income, with 40 units for unhoused people that include on-site support services. “This all-electric project demonstrates how mixed-use development can advance New York’s clean energy goals, ensuring more sustainable, healthier, and vibrant local communities," said New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who was on hand for the event. In addition to Delgado, other speakers at the event included Tavares, state Assemblyperson Anna Kelles, state Senator Lea Webb, state Home and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, Ithaca Area Economic Development President Heather McDaniel, County Legislature Chairperson Dan Klein, Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, and Vecino Group President Rick Manzardo. Photos by Sheryl Sinkow

The TOMPKINS COUNTY Tourism Program has announced grants are open for the Fall 2024 cycle, aimed at enhancing local tourism and community development. Apply by August 26 for the following grants: -- Community Celebrations Grant: Up to $2,500 for community events celebrating the county's culture, history, and diversity. -- Tourism Advancement Grant: Up to $20,000 for projects promoting Tompkins County as a tourist destination. -- Tourism Capital Grant: Up to $100,000 for investments in visitor-generating projects driving economic growth and quality of life. And Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County is hosting a grant workshop from 1-3pm on Thursday, August 1, at its CAP ArtSpace (inside Tompkins Center for History & Culture), 110 N Tioga St, Ithaca. No reservations are required -- just show up with your draft application and get feedback from tourism program staff before you submit. #tourism #communitydevelopment #visitithaca

Had a great time representing the #FingerLakes at the #ILoveNY media night Wednesday night at the The Loeb Boathouse Central Park. Great engagements with media there, and a beautiful venue.

Astronaut Jeanette Epps, PhD shared this cool view of the #FingerLakes from space this week! Come #VisitIthaca and see what it looks like from the ground. Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance

Come work with us! Help us share all the reasons #IthacaIsGorges #VisitIthaca

Tompkins Weekly's Jaime Hughes recently highlighted some awesome hidden gems to see when you #VisitIthaca. #travel #tourism #ILoveNY

We’re celebrating #NTTW24 and what travel means to Ithaca and Tompkins County – from our communities to our jobs to our economy — travel touches and improves it all. U.S. Travel Association The Ithaca Loves Teachers celebration in 2023 resulted in a $209,000 economic impact for Tompkins County, just during the last two weeks of February. #IthacaLovesTeachers #VisitIthaca Photo credit: Casey Martin, from a 2023 event at State Theatre of Ithaca, Inc.

Happy National Travel and Tourism Week! The travel industry is pivotal to our economy, communities and in connecting America. U.S. Travel Association #NTTW24 Visit Ithaca's Agriculinary Microgrant Program, awarded a total of $19,120 in grants to 11 businesses in 2023. These matching grants led to further investment of $134,968 in total by those businesses to be more visitor ready. #VisitIthaca #CornellBotanicGardens Cornell University Cornell Botanic Gardens