MONTICELLO – The Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA) President & CEO Michael Martelon presented the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Award to Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz at the Legislature’s Economic Development Committee meeting on November 6.

“Every dollar in this program starts with a visitor who chose to spend the night in Sullivan County,” said Martelon. “This award belongs here. We’re proud to steward the program and excited about where we take it next.”

The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) honored the county’s tourism grant program in its Transformational Tourism Stewardship: Tourism Advocacy category. It was the only award of its kind given to a destination marketing organization in New York State this year.

“I am grateful to both my fellow legislators and the SCVA that we could collaborate to make this program a reality, and I’m thrilled NYSTIA recognized the impact we’re making together,” said Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz. “Our tourism industry is vital to the economic health and vitality of the entire county, and the legislature and the SCVA will continue to work together to increase support and opportunities for that industry.”

Sullivan County is the only county in New York running a grant program of this scale through its tourism promotion agency.

“Tourism is a bedrock industry in Sullivan County, and this has been true for almost all of our 200-year history,” said Sullivan County Planning Commissioner Heather Brown. “Having my own experience as part of a family who for decades welcomed thousands of tourists through a downtown business in Kauneonga Lake, I am very aware of the positive impact these grants would have in our communities. As a county leader, I was happy to be involved in this program.”