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Border crossings from Canada on the rise in Champlain

CHAMPLAIN — Tourism numbers have been soaring statewide and the border crossing in Champlain is now boasting an uptick of its own.

A recent Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau study compared the number of visitors via that entryway, which connects New York to Lacolle, Quebec., throughout the first nine months of 2019, to those same months in 2017.

The study examined how many of those tourists stayed for the day, for one night or for two or more nights. Each of those figures had gone up by more than 3.5%.

North Country Chamber of Commerce and Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau Vice President of Marketing Kristy Kennedy said the increases were welcomed.

“They speak highly of the marketing programs we are implementing daily and show our strong relationship with our Canadian visitors,” Kennedy said. “I could not be more pleased to see this strong showing.”

Rise of tourism

In September, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the results of the I Love NY 2018 Economic Impact Study. Per that report, the year’s fiscal tourism impact had hit a record $114.8 billion, a 5.6% increase from the year prior.

Clinton County numbers had jumped up, as well, with travelers spending alone up 4%, landing at nearly $142 million.

And, though not yet official, countywide projections had shown 2019 figures were on the rise, too.

At the time, Clinton County’s sales tax collection had been $650,000 ahead of 2018 and occupancy tax collection had also increased.

Champlain crossing

Per the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau’s recent study, numbers were continuing upward.

Kennedy, who also works with the state’s I Love NY campaign via the Tourism Promotion Agency for Clinton County, said the bureau’s recent report zeroed in on the Lacolle-Champlain border crossing, using figures provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Compared to 2017, the number of Canadians using that crossing to make a day trip to the U.S. from January 2019 through September 2019 had jumped up 6.45%.

For those staying overnight, the number of visitors spending one night had increased by 3.56%, while the number of those spending two or more nights had gone up by 6.2%.

“The region has built a special bond with Quebec and continues to grow that relationship in several ways, including implementing an effective marketing effort,” a bureau news release says. “We are thrilled that it is working.”

Attracting visitors

Those marketing initiatives include brochures, a monthly e-newsletter and social media contests.

And they do well to attract Canadians via the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau’s bilingual website, its CTV Television Network campaign and its appearance at a couple Montreal consumer shows.

“We also work closely with I Love NY, the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council and other entities to ensure they are working to attract our Canadian neighbors in the correct way that will help reinforce our brand,” she added “Everything that we do is geared towards welcoming our Canadian neighbors.”

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