Dutchess Tourism, Inc. (DTI) wins four 2023 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards including an award for Excellence in Overall Tourism Marketing. The county’s official destination marketing organization (DMO) was honored at a special ceremony at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York on September 14, 2023. The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) bestows awards to New York State's destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses in all forms of marketing, destination management and stewardship. Tourism is the third largest industry in New York State and is a major driving force in Dutchess County’s economy where visitors spent $706 million in 2022, contributing $89 million in state and local taxes.
“We pride ourselves on our approach to storytelling and the way we are able to utilize multi-pronged, research-based and targeted marketing strategies to make a significant economic impact for our county,” said DTI President and CEO Melaine Rottkamp. “On behalf of our agency of record, FourthIdea, and all our tourism partners, we’re thrilled to be recognized for our effective, creative and visually dynamic campaigns that showcase Dutchess County as a top-tier year-round destination.”
Awards Won:
“Dutchess Tourism has always done an outstanding job of promoting our county to the world and their successful campaigns have made them the most decorated DMO in this year’s NYS Tourism Excellence Awards,” said Dutchess County Executive William F. X. O’Neil. “We are thrilled Melaine and her team are being recognized for their hard work on behalf of Dutchess County’s tourism-related businesses and attractions which represent more than 10,000 residents whose livelihoods depend upon the visitor spending that DTI attracts to the area.”
The New York State Tourism Excellence Awards are open to all New York State tourism marketers and are juried by an impartial panel of industry experts under the auspices of NYSTIA. Nominees spanned every corner of the state and judges were challenged by the diversity and quality of the entries.
“The campaigns, initiatives, and projects submitted for the 2023 Tourism Excellence Awards illustrate the world-class work being done by New York's tourism professionals," observed Bob Provost, president of NYSTIA. "The caliber of the work nominated this year, coupled with the 40% year-over-year increase in nominations challenged the judges who reviewed and scored this year's entries.
DTI is accredited by Destinations International and is responsible for promoting the area to a global audience. To raise awareness of Dutchess County and its tourism assets, DTI utilizes digital, print, television and radio advertising, primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions as well as ads and articles in national and international media outlets. The Discover Dutchess Destination Guide is printed annually along with companion brochures including a craft beverage trail and map, farm finder guide, bike tour guide, and contemporary art guide are distributed in thruway rest stops, visitor information centers, hotels and more. Using the organization’s website, DutchessTourism.com, and social media platforms (@dutchesstourism), visitors can find details on attractions, events, itineraries, travel inspiration and more.
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About Dutchess Tourism:
Dutchess Tourism, Inc., the officially designated destination marketing organization for Dutchess County, is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International. As a (c)(6) nonprofit organization, it works to bring tourism dollars to area businesses and the community by marketing and promoting the assets of Dutchess County to the nation and the world. The office is located at 3 Neptune Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie with 18 Tourist Information Centers located around Dutchess County. The website is DutchessTourism.com and they can be reached at 845-463-4000. Dutchess Tourism, Inc. is partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.
About New York State Tourism Industry Association:
The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) is a member-driven, 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization at the vanguard of transformational tourism marketing, stewardship and long-term strategic planning. We assist our members in advancing responsible economic growth, creating jobs, revitalizing communities, supporting small business success, and increasing state and local tax revenues in order to improve the standard of living, quality of life and pride of place for New York State communities and residents. We achieve these goals by facilitating the success of our members in realizing the economic potential of New York State's tourism industry as a catalyst for collaborative initiatives, exceptional marketing programs, industry research and legislative awareness for the private sector of New York State's tourism industry. www.nystia.org
