It is hard to picture in your mind exactly how much one billion dollars is. That figure may be tossed around in daily conversation at the dinner table when talking about the state budget or national debt – which is actually in the trillions. But for the majority of Americans, that level of wealth is truly incomprehensible. However, as a community in the Sullivan Catskills, that is not out of the realm of possibility – thanks to the tourism industry.

In 2023, the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA) announced that due to the continuing upward trends of the industry in the area over the past two decades, tourism spending reached $969 million, just $31 million short of that near-mythical number. 

This increase is certainly due, in large measure, to the ever-expanding and hard work of the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Assn. and its 350 member businesses.

Once the mecca of large hotels and tourism in New York State, Sullivan County’s tourism industry fell on hard times in the ‘70, ‘80s and ‘90s as tourism patterns changed and many of our large hotels closed.

But nearly 24 years ago, the county hired Roberta Byron-Lockwood, a seasoned tourism director, to lead the agency responsible for promotion of the county and the results have been nothing less than spectacular.

Byron-Lockwood not only put Sullivan County back on the tourism map, but through her vision she rebranded the county into the Sullivan Catskills and helped ignite a growth that is still going strong today.

Make no mistake, she did not do it alone, but was the guiding force which led to the rebirth, rebranding and rejuvenation of our great county into one of the preeminent tourism destinations in the entire state.

Today, our beautiful hotels, boutique hotels, spas, arts community, main streets and restaurants stand side-by-side with each other, promoting our county and helping to bring in vital tourism dollars.

The slogan “all boats rise with the tide” has never been truer and the 350 members of the SCVA are to be congratulated for their determination.

These dollars not only help to lower our tax bill every year but also keep thousands of people employed in every township in our county.

Byron-Lockwood will be retiring early next year but the story she has helped author is far from finished. Her dedicated and hard-working board are looking for a replacement which will help lead our county to even greater success.

We are quick to point out when things are not going well. It’s truly a pleasure to be able to point to an organization which has truly made a difference in our county. Thank you.