Visitors to Dutchess County spent a record $811 million in 2024, according to the newly released Hudson Valley Tourism Economic Impact Report prepared by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. That spending, an increase of 7.3% over 2023, translated to more than $2.2 million infused into the local economy every day.
As the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the county, Destination Dutchess, formerly known as Dutchess Tourism, Inc., has played a central role in achieving this record-breaking growth. Through award-winning and innovative marketing campaigns, national and international media outreach, group tour development, and strong partnerships with local businesses, Destination Dutchess has built global awareness of the region. This work not only drives visitor attraction but also enhances the quality of life for residents by fueling the economic benefits of tourism across the county.
Tourism remains a vital driver of Dutchess County’s economy, supporting 10,213 jobs, more than 9% of the local workforce, across sectors such as hotels, restaurants, museums and historic sites, performance venues, farms and craft beverage producers, as well as sports, festivals, parks, gardens, and trails. In 2024, those jobs generated $412.1 million in wages, much of which was reinvested locally on everyday essentials like housing, groceries, transportation, and clothing — further extending tourism’s economic ripple effect. Visitor spending also produced $98.1 million in combined state and local tax revenues. Without this contribution, the average county household would have paid an additional $851 in taxes.
“While we know that 2025 has brought new challenges for the travel industry, it is important to recognize the progress we made in 2024 and the resilience of our tourism community,” said Melaine Rottkamp, president & CEO of Destination Dutchess. “Visitor spending in Dutchess has not only surpassed pre-pandemic levels but has helped sustain thousands of jobs and small businesses across the county. That momentum is what gives us confidence as we look ahead. Together, these figures highlight not only the scale of tourism’s economic impact but also the diversity of audiences driving it.”
According to 2025 year-to-date credit card data from Zartico, more than half of all spending at restaurants and retail in Dutchess County comes from non-residents. Of that total, 25% of restaurant spending and 34% of retail spending is generated by visitors traveling from more than 50 miles away. This reinforces Dutchess’ role as a draw for longer-distance travelers in the driveable markets of Philadelphia, Boston among others, as well as a gateway for international travelers flying into Manhattan looking to explore the rest of the state.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino emphasized the broader impact of tourism, "Tourism is a key part of our local economy, and its impact is felt by families and small businesses across Dutchess County. The growth we're seeing means more jobs, more support for local businesses, and more opportunities for our neighbors. I'm grateful to Destination Dutchess and all our partners for the work they do to keep our county on the map and bring visitors back year after year."
Looking ahead, optimism for autumn remains strong. The Hudson Valley was recently named the No. 1 Fall Foliage Destination in the U.S. for 2025 by Priceline, a recognition expected to draw increased interest from travelers nationwide. In addition, the highly anticipated premiere of Netflix’s “Next Gen Chef” at The Culinary Institute of America on September 17 will shine a spotlight on the region’s world-class culinary scene, fueling tourism well beyond the fall season. To help plan a visit, travelers can follow Destination Dutchess’ Facebook and Instagram (@DestinationDutchess) accounts for the latest status of peak foliage, upcoming events and more, or visit DestinationDutchess.com.
