Contact: Kristen Matejka Director of Marketing/Communications LICVB&SC 631 951-3900 kmatejka@discoverlongisland.com

HAUPPAUGE, NY –(February 24, 2016)- Long Island’s tourism economy has come back following significant set-backs over the last decade, according to numbers just released by the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau & Sports Commission (LICVB&SC).

Challenges included the economic downturn that tore through the tourism industry here over seven years and Super Storm Sandy, which surged through Long Island causing extensive damage three ½  years ago.

With year-over-year numbers just in, 2015 hotel occupancies are at their highest levels since 2001 and hotel average daily rate (ADR) is at an unprecedented level as the LICVB&SC continues to market and sell the Island as a destination for leisure getaways, business, meetings and sporting events.

With its close proximity to NYC and the 23 million people in the tri-State area, the LICVB&SC places a significant focus on influencing this large demographic to choose Long Island as a leisure destination over other nearby options.

The LICVB&SC also promotes Long Island as a strong business travel destination, focusing on its easy access via three major airports and its affordability for meetings as compared with nearby NYC, Jarnagin said. The LICVB&SC also continues to grow the amateur, collegiate and professional tournaments and competitions, such as synchronized swimming at our Aquatic Center, the Diva Half-Marathon, Suffolk Marathon and Tough Mudder, all brought here through the Sports Commission.

Nassau County is pulling in higher occupancy rates and ADR than Suffolk County. The LICVB&SC estimates as much as 80% of Nassau County hotel stays/visits are attributable to business travelers, indicating a definitive uptick in that segment. Suffolk derives nearly 80% of its tourism revenue from leisure/vacation travelers.

There’s been a steady increase in the amount of business booked on Long Island over the past several years. That said, more leisure visitors are also coming to see what our top-rated beaches are all about and to explore our local wineries and breweries; historic sites and museums; downtowns and local restaurants; and to embark on some great outdoor adventures.

Occupancy levels on Long Island reached 72.75% in 2015, with an ADR of $ 141.39, both well above the national average of 65.53% occupancy in 2014, and $119.65 ADR.

Nassau County saw occupancy levels at 78.08% with an ADR of $144.57. Suffolk County occupancy was at 69.13%, with ADR at $138.30 in 2015.

Occupancy levels have even surpassed what was commonly called ‘The Sandy Effect’ in 2012/2013, when hotel occupancies skyrocketed in the last quarter of 2012/first half 2013, as displaced homeowners and emergency workers filled Long Island hotels following Super Storm Sandy in October 2012.

Tourism on Long Island is a $5.3 billion industry on Long Island (2014), bringing in 9.1 million overnight visitors. Tourism is responsible for 74,000 direct jobs and it produces over $301 million in local taxes and over $294 million in state taxes.

The region’s tourism economy is split evenly between the two counties although Nassau is more business-oriented, and Suffolk is more leisure-oriented. There are 364 hotels on Long Island with 18,289 rooms. Nassau has 55 hotels with 5,869 rooms; Suffolk 309 hotels with 12,420 rooms.

The LICVB&SC focuses on bringing in overnight visitors to Long Island since the overnight visitor spends about $245 per person; while a day trippers spend around $60 per person. Overnight visitors spend 3.15% more than day trippers.

The LICVB&SC attracts meetings, conventions and sporting events to the region, in addition to international travelers (primarily UK, Germany and Canada) and domestic leisure travelers.

The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission (LICVB&SC) was established in 1979 as the official tourism promotion agency for the destination’s travel and tourism industry. Based on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY, the LICVB&SC contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting the region as a world-class destination for tourism, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events, and related activities. For more information about Long Island, please contact the LICVB&SC by calling 1-877-386-6654 or visit www.discoverlongisland.com.