Long Island tourism hit $7.9B with record growth in 2024 | Long Island Business News

Long Island tourism in 2024 continued to reach record highs with $7.9 billion in spending, up 3.8 percent from the previous year.

That’s according to the most recent report from New York State’s annual tourism economic impact report.

Tourism jobs also increased, with 78,418 jobs in 2024, up from 76,227 in 2023.

“Sharing this third straight year of record-breaking data with our residents and downtown communities, who truly reap the benefits of a thriving visitor economy, is what makes this continued trajectory of year-over-year growth most meaningful,” Mitch Pally, president and CEO of Discover Long Island, which promotes tourism in Suffolk County and the region, said last week in a news release about the findings. Pally described the tourism spending as “unprecedented.”

The report featured an analysis of visitor spending and its total economic impact on businesses, employment, personal income and taxes.

“The numbers are showing exactly what we’ve always known: that Nassau County is an incredible place to live and to visit,” Jaime Hollander, owner and managing director of RRDA, which promotes Nassau’s tourism, told LIBN. “With top-tier accommodations, events, restaurants and venues, people know there’s so much more to explore in the county.”

The report looked at tourism across 11 regions, with New York City remaining the largest in visitor spending, followed by Long Island and then the Hudson Valley. The report was released ahead of the Ryder Cup, which is expected to bring at least $150 million in economic impact to the region.

Suffolk County saw more than $4.6 billion in spending, while Nassau County saw more than $3.2 billion.

Spending on food and beverages and lodging accounted for 36 percent and 21 percent of total expenditures, respectively. Retail and service stations contributed an additional $1.2 billion, representing 15 percent of overall spending.

Tourism in Long Island yielded $945 million in state and local taxes in 2024, providing tax savings for households in Nassau and Suffolk. Sales, property and hotel bed taxes contributed $523 million in local taxes.

Long Island tourism spurred $2.7 billion in direct personal income, and generated $4.1 billion in indirect and induced impact on such things as business-to-business spending and employee spending in the local economy.

Discover Long Island credited its technology and ability to align with consumer trends, and aims to expand momentum through such upcoming events as the Ryder Cup and 2026 U.S. Open to “keep Long Island at the forefront of traveler’s minds.”

Hollander said such events as the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, National BBQ Festival, summer concerts at Eisenhower Park and other events all contributed to help build Nassau as a tourist destination. The Ryder Cup along with the Legends of the LPGA, which is new to Eisenhower Park this year, would continue to advance tourism initiatives.

Pally said the growth “within Suffolk County and beyond, is guided by the vision of our Board of Directors, strengthened by our partners and local leaders, and executed by our dedicated Discover Long Island team. Together, we are helping ensure that tourism continues to enhance the quality of life for Long Islanders while elevating our region’s standing among the nation’s premier destinations.”