The Finger Lakes region has its fingers crossed about the tourism potential that could come with receiving a certain federal designation. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand recently announced a bi-partisan bill to consider the region a National Heritage Area. If passed, the Finger Lakes region—which contains 14 New York counties and 26 State parks—could become part of the National Parks system. Chair of the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance Coleen Fabrizi says the name would be excellent for the region’s economy.
"The support and resources available through the national parks is tremendous. Any time a local business can get a lift up from someone of that level is pretty fantastic."
If the bill succeeds, the Finger Lakes will undergo a Feasibility Study Process, taking about a year to assess the area’s natural beauty and historical significance. Tourism in the Finger Lakes is already a nearly 3 (B) billion dollar industry. Fabrizi finds the region earns this with its many sights and attractions.
"New York State and the Finger Lakes Region are not places you come and explore for a day. There is so much to see and do. You can experience it for weeks and months at a time and never run out of things to do."
The Finger Lakes region is home to a many theaters, galleries, and museums, from the renowned Corning Museum of Glass to the Rockwell Museum, home to one of the finest western art collections in the U.S. In addition to all this, Fabrizi finds tourists fall in love with local “agri-tourism” and outdoor recreation.
"You have a lot of people using the waterways for kayaking, boating, and sightseeing. You have people coming here spending weeks at a time exploring the wineries, and making sure they also get on the waterways as part of their experience while they're in town."
Fabrizi says she’s hopeful they’ll receive an official designation as a National Heritage Area in time for the 100th birthday of the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance in 2019. More about the region is at Finger Lakes.org.
