The Cayuga County Office of Tourism in partnership with the tourism offices of Onondaga, Wayne, Oswego, and Seneca Counties has produced a new map and guide to things to see and do on, near, or in the waterways of central New York. This FREE brochure will help visitors find their way through the Finger Lakes, Lake Ontario and the Erie Canal, plus many of the region's smaller lakes and rivers. Information on accommodations, attractions, campgrounds, restaurants, parks and wineries with water access and views is also included. Stop by the tourism office to pick up a supply. It's never too early to start thinking about enjoying the waterways of central New York!

The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival will be opening for it's first season this year and before we know it visitors, new and return, will be filling our streets. They will be looking for great entertainment of course, but they will also want places to stay, eat and shop and other things to see and do while they are in the area. The Tourism Office is planning a special briefing just for our tourism partners that will give you the tools you need to reach out to these visitors. So, save the morning of February 27th and details will follow soon. This brief session promises to be interesting and we'll make it fun, too!

IGNITE, Cayuga County's Young Professionals organization, is organizing the first annual IGNITE the Winter! festival in downtown Auburn on Friday, March 2, 2012 from 5-10 p.m. The festival will include musical performances, ice sculpture demonstrations, wagon rides, wine and beer sales and a chili, chowder & soup cook-off. All Cayuga County restaurants are invited to participate in the cook-off and provide tastings during the festival. Prizes and recognition will be awarded to Best Chili and Best Chowder/Soup, as well as a People's Choice Award in both categories. For more details and to register, contact Connie Reilley, executive director of the Downtown Auburn Business Improvement district: connie@auburndowntown.org or call 315-252-7874. This is a great opportunity to show off your special recipes and market your business to the community and our visitors!

New York State Heritage Weekend will be held May 19 and 20, 2012 to kick off the summer season and coincide with National Preservation Month. Communities, organizations, historic sites, and museums are invited to participate with special programs, free admission, discounts or an event that celebrates our heritage. Post your events, discounts and special programs on www.heritageweekend.org and you will be included in a promotional campaign designed to raise awareness of New York's historical resources. Questions should be emailed to Allison.bandos@hudsongreenway.ny.gov.

The Office of Tourism is seeking a person or firm to handle group sales and marketing of Cayuga County as a premier destination for coach tours, meetings, conferences, and other group business. This part-time, contract position will be responsible for marketing plans, cooperative programs and positioning strategies to increase group business to Cayuga County. Candidates must have excellent written and oral skills, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently and a valid New York State driver's license as travel will be required. For a full position description, contact meg@tourcayuga.com

Tourism Facts & Employment

Tourism Direct sales, 2010

• Total Tourism Direct sales:  $83.58 million
• Lodging:  $23.37 million
• Recreation:  $3.05 million
• Food & Beverage:  $18.50 million
• Retail & Service Stations:  $14.71 million
• Transportation:  $9.37 million
• Second Homes:  $14.59 million

• Direct:  1,254
• Total (direct, Indirect, Induced):  1,817

• Local Taxes:  $5.36 million
• State Taxes:  $5.18 million
• Total:  $10.54 million

Be sure to check out the 'Partners' section on tourcayuga.com. This link located in the upper right hand corner of our website was created to give our tourism partners details about what we are doing to promote tourism in Cayuga County as well as information on research and tourism facts and figures. We encourage you to use this information as a resource for developing your own marketing plans and as a tool to advocate for the importance of tourism in Cayuga County. The 2012 Marketing and Strategic Plans are now posted for your information. Visit http://www.tourcayuga.com/partners/partners.php for details.

The 2012 Official Visitor Guide to Cayuga County is at the printer's and will be available by the end of January. New photos, farm-to-table culinary information, shoulder season travel ideas, 'insider' tips, and the announcement of the 2012 Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival season are included in this detailed guide of Cayuga County. 65,000 guides are being printed as our primary response to visitor inquiries and for distribution at travel shows, information centers and local attractions.

We are in the process of collecting information from local producers and retailers in order to create a trail for both visitors and residents to enjoy much like the popular wine and cheese trails. We are particularly interested in sites that allow visitors to experience how or where the product is made, but shops that sell the products are also invited to participate.

If you fit the above criteria and would be interested in participating in this fun new trail email barb@tourcayuga.com for an information form.

"Seasons of a Finger Lakes Winery" which follows the seasons and lives of Gary & Rosemary Barletta of Long Point Winery has won a Gourmand Award for best in class for wine books published in the United States in 2011. The Gourmand Awards, based in Paris, France, are widely regarded as the most distinguished international awards for gourmet food and beverage writing. Congratulations Rosemary and Gary! We are so lucky to have you as part of our tourism community in Cayuga County and the Finger Lakes Region!