At a time when other states are cutting back tourism budgets, to announce a tourism budget uplift of 10% by $5 million to an all-time high of $55 million, Governor Cuomo chose this venue: the first annual New York State Tourism and Craft Beverage Summit.

Underscoring the growing intersection of agriculture, craft brewing, and the tourism industries, the summit pointed to more than 900 wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries in the state. This includes farm wineries up 60 percent from 195 in 2010;  to 316 microbreweries up by 285 percent from 2010; farm-based craft beverage producers up by 178 percent since 2011.

Interesting statewide initiatives focused on agritourism are outlined in the expanded I Love NY programming:

MARKET NY: Dedicated $2 million in grants to promote destinations, attractions and special events focused on craft beverages and agritourism to include advertising, media production costs, industry-related press tours and marketing materials, along with website design, development and updates. Overall, $15 million for MARKET NY, focused on agritourism and craft beverage, in the tourism budget.

TASTE NY: $500,000 for a new special events agritourism marketing initiative ensuring a presence at key events and festivals, targeting audiences receptive to visiting craft breweries, wineries, farmers markets, and more.

WELCOME CENTERS WITH A TASTE NY MARKET: 11 upgraded, strategically placed highway welcome centers offering locally-made and produced food and beverages and 3 kiosks offering custom itineraries to travelers.

I LOVE NY @TRIBECA: A new short film competition invites NY-based film students to submit ideas for a tourism-based video, selecting and producing one for each of the 11 tourism regions.

I LOVE NY MOBILE APP: Enhanced, with immersive multimedia content, with more targeted social media campaigns and sharing initiatives. Check out: the 200th Anniversary of the Eric Canal involving 240 canal communities across upstate NY.

Read more (in any of eight languages) here.