WATKINS GLEN, NY — The Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) was recognized by the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) at the 2017 Tourism Excellence Awards Dinner, held Thursday, October 26 at the Glen Club of the Watkins Glen International. It received the award for excellence in tourism marketing, for its rebranding and marketing initiatives of the Sullivan Catskills.

The NYSTIA awards committee selected SVCA for its aggressive and integrated marketing that included investment in a new website, building social media platforms, and creating a national press presence to entice potential visitors to choose the Sullivan Catskills.

The committee took note of the program goals, including increasing visitor travel and spending both domestically and internationally, increasing the sales tax for Sullivan County and New York State and providing a quality of life for residents.

In 2015, Sullivan County saw a 4.4% increase in visitor spending. In 2016, this increase rose to 8%. Bed-tax collections, visitor requests, social media and press stories have all seen increases, too.