Gov. Cuomo Kicks Off New York's Summer Tourism Season
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo officially opened New York's summer tourism season by inviting vacationers to take what he called the "ultimate road trip.''
Cuomo was in Watkins Glen, the home of an international car raceway, on Saturday to unveil new roadside and video ads highlighting destinations such as the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and the Saratoga Race Course.
About 4,000 road signs across the state point travelers to various attractions.
Also announced was a new social media campaign featuring New Yorkers and visitors explaining what they love about the state.
To celebrate the start of tourism season, the governor waived fishing license requirements.
Cuomo said state residents and visitors can fish without a fishing license this weekend in any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or 50,000 miles of rivers and streams.
Also this weekend, saltwater anglers can fish in marine waters or for migratory marine fish species without enrolling in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry.
More statewide free fishing dates are expected to be announced later this summer.
Cuomo said tourism is one of the state's top job providers.
In 2013, New York's tourism industry generated direct spending of $59 billion. It produced an estimated $7.5 billion in taxes.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
