Tourism dollars benefit local economy

Tourism is on the upswing in Monroe County. The amount spent by visitors from 2005 to 2006 increased 11 percent, from $811.2 million to $897.7 million.

last year alone, people visiting the area spent more than 897-million dollars.

“There's great restaurants, great shopping, great neighborhoods and great golf,” said Tim Taylor, an attorney from Albany.

Taylor stayed at the Hyatt in Downtown Rochester Thursday night. He says whenever he visits the area, he always finds something to do.

“Lots of stuff to spend your money on,” he said, “(including) a clean hotel room and a good restaurant. Sometimes I go golfing at Oak Hill.”

In 2006, close to 2 million people visited Monroe County. That's an increase of 135,000 tourists from the year before.

Manager Hugh Hogle has noticed more people coming through his Clarion Hotel downtown to check out attractions like Strong National Museum of Play and local sporting events.

“We have the Razor Sharks, the Rattlers, the Amerks and all the other good teams,” he said. “The red wings were very good this year – there’s definitely been more people in.”

And that means big bucks for Monroe County. Visitors spent more than 235 million dollars on lodging, 265 million dollars on food and beverage, and close to 43 million dollars on recreational activities last year.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks says those dollars benefit the people who live here.

“They translate into sales tax dollars for our community which offsets the need to raise local property taxes.”