News from the Noteworthy from the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce

Summer Tourism Promotes Development

Travel and tourism are among the most powerful ways of connecting locals and travelers worldwide while simultaneously powering up the local economy.

With visitor spending continuously on the rise, Otsego County generated more than $37 million in state and local taxes in 2022. This total includes food and beverage, lodging, retail, transportation, and other forms of recreation, including events. Additionally, tourism-related jobs tremendously impact our immediate community, supporting over 2,878 jobs, roughly around 13.2 percent of Otsego County’s total jobs.

Cooperstown and Otsego County are home to some of the most unique places in America!

Sure, being the baseball capital of the world might be the main reason so many come to visit us; however, there is so much more than meets the immediate eye. Tourism inspires people to visit towns, boosting the local economy and bringing people into shops, eateries, lodging, and events. With ample opportunities aside from baseball, local businesses can interact with travelers and generate various types of wealth.

Tourism attracts new businesses, thanks to the vast number of summer visitors and transplants, and encourages locals to stay. Sales, property and hotel bed taxes contributed $18.7 million in local taxes. If it were not for tourism-generated state and local taxes, the average household in Otsego County would have to pay an additional $1,665.00 to maintain the same level of government revenue. New people and businesses create a melting pot of enriching diversity and even more opportunities. But most importantly, tourism stimulation brings well-being, economic growth and prosperity.

With summer here, businesses are starting to see lines upon lines before opening hours and an influx of people walking around town.

Gary Buell, general manager of Brewery Ommegang, stated, “We have already seen a large amount of baseball teams in the first couple days of the summer. We have many bookings for weddings and rehearsal dinners this upcoming season and looking forward to another great summer.”

On the other hand, Bill Michaels, owner of the Fly Creek Cider Mill, shared that, “We are anticipating strong summer traffic with returning visitors and summer residents. The influx of campers and ballpark families complement our local and regional customer base, while our successful Flavorful Rewards Program continues to be a significant benefit to regular visitors. Fall remains our busiest season, so a successful summer is always a welcome boost.”

Otsego County is an international destination. As a local or visitor, you have a golden opportunity to bask in the glory of summer. From days at the National Baseball Hall of Fame to the incredible art exhibitions at Fenimore Art Museum, performing arts at The Glimmerglass Festival’s Alice Busch Opera Theater or the lakefront concerts—and even weekly fun at Brewery Ommegang, the Cooperstown Artisan Festival, Music on Main, and local shows at the many breweries or wineries—there is something for every taste.

Whether you live here or are just passing by, just know that you are helping the locals and our economy flourish. And what better place to do it than in heavenly Otsego County, with its beautiful nature and incredible people, which might have you thinking you are in paradise.

Alessandra Paul is the operations and marketing coordinator for the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce.