GARNERVILLE, NY – Rockland County Tourism, in collaboration with Alon Tourism Solutions, successfully hosted a comprehensive travel and tourism trade event from June 3rd to June 4th, 2024. This multi-location tour and marketplace aimed to showcase the county’s diverse attractions to several dozen tourism trade professionals.
Lucy Redzeposki, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, cited this as a key event toward solidifying her multi-year effort to create convenient, enjoyable channels for tourists to visit Rockland County. “It’s a hidden gem,” she said during a brief conversation at Round Table Brewery. “There are so many beautiful sites in Rockland for tens of thousands of people to see. Our partnership with Alon Tourism will be an important part of our plans.”
Day One: Exploring Nyack and Surroundings
The event kicked off on Monday, June 3rd, with the arrival of guests at Tarrytown Station, followed by a visit to Hotel Nyack. Participants were treated to a site inspection and hotel tour, highlighting the hotel’s chic, urban design and luxury amenities, including views of the Hudson River and an outdoor pool.
The next stop was the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, where attendees enjoyed a tour of the museum and downtown Nyack. The museum honors Edward Hopper’s significant contributions to American art and his legacy.
Lunch was served at The 76 House in Tappan, known as America’s oldest restaurant. Participants savored a pre-fix menu while learning about the establishment’s historical significance and enjoying a tour of the property.
Following lunch, the group visited Nyack Beach State Park to capture the scenic landscape along the Hudson River. The tour continued to the Haverstraw Brick Museum, emphasizing the region’s historical brick-making heritage, and included a quick stop at Lucas Candies for a tour and tasting.
The day concluded with a visit to the historic Bear Mountain Inn, offering a walking tour of the property, and a site inspection of the GARNER Arts Center, followed by a marketplace event at the GARNER Historic District. Here, participants interacted with up to 20 local tourism businesses, learned about new products, and enjoyed networking opportunities.
The night ended with a tour and night-cap at Roundtable Brewery, where Owner/Operator Ricardo demonstrated the art of creating new craft beer, showcasing his on-location brewery.
Isabelle Mary, Owner of MAD Tours & Events stated “We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the fantastic site visit made possible by Alon and Rockland County. Your hard work ensured we experienced as much as possible for two busy and productive days! Each visit, food and beer tasting, along with interaction with our future tourism and hospitality partners were truly enjoyed. The event was really well organized to showcase the diverse offerings of Rockland in one room and so many partners there that we can now say: We are ready and let’s embark on promoting Rockland by promoting and inviting our international clients to experience this hidden gem!”
Day Two: Cultural and Shopping Highlights
On June 4th, the group began the day with breakfast at Hotel Nyack, followed by a visit to the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education in Suffern. This stop aimed to educate about the dangers of intolerance and inspire moral courage.
The final destination was the Palisades Center, where the group received a tour of the mall and had ample time to shop. The event concluded with the departure of guests from Tarrytown Station back to Grand Central Station.
Rockland County: A Premier Tourist Destination
Rockland County, located just 30 miles north of New York City along the Hudson River, is renowned for its quaint villages, scenic river views, rich history, and diverse cultural offerings. The county features numerous attractions such as the Edward Hopper House Museum, the historic ’76 House, and the Bear Mountain Inn, alongside vibrant arts centers like the GARNER Arts Center.
The successful fam tour and marketplace highlighted Rockland County’s potential as a premier tourist destination, offering attendees a firsthand experience of the county’s unique attractions and hospitality. This event underscored Rockland County’s commitment to promoting tourism and fostering economic growth through strategic partnerships and innovative events.
Redzeposki added, “The FAM tour provided an opportunity for the travel trade representatives to experience Rockland County. They were impressed with our attractions and were excited about the possibility of adding them to their itineraries. They considered this an “eye-opening” FAM tour of all Rockland has to offer visitors.”
For more information on Rockland County Tourism, visit Explorerocklandny.com or contact Lucy Redzeposki, Director of Economic Development & Tourism, at redzepol@co.rockland.ny.us.