Courtesy Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce
Businesses in the Lake George area may be heading into their busiest months of 2020 yet, with almost 62 percent of nearly 6,000 customers surveyed planning to visit in August or the fall, according to an online survey conducted by Warren County Tourism, Mannix Marketing and the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The survey results came in as the region continues to experience an unexpectedly strong July.
“The survey confirms that there is a strong pent up demand for travel and Lake George offers just what travelers want,” said Sara Mannix, owner of LakeGeorge.com and Mannix Marketing.
“Survey respondents stated they had the most interest in visiting the beaches, touring the lake on a cruise ship and experiencing the area’s lakes on paddleboards, kayaks and boats. The most desired activity that was not on the lake was outlet mall shopping and Lake George is home to more than 50 outlet stores. Therefore, we anticipate we will see even more visitors as the fall and back-to-school shopping season approaches,” she noted.
According to the survey:
• 62 percent plan to visit in August and/or the fall with 33 percent of those planning for August.
• 62 percent say they plan to stay overnight.
• 29 percent plan to visit three or more times.
• 8 percent do not plan to travel due to COVID-19 concerns.
The top five interests of the survey respondents were:
• 72 percent rated beaches as somewhat to extremely important to their decision to visit.
• 67 percent rated shopping as somewhat to extremely important.
• 65 percent rated the cruise ships as somewhat to extremely important.
• 58 percent rated water sports as somewhat to extremely important.
• 57 percent rated museums and the arts as somewhat to extremely important
To bolster consumer confidence in the Warren County/Lake George region as a safe and healthy place to visit, nearly 200 businesses, organizations and municipalities have taken the Lake George Region-Southern Adirondacks Health and Safety Pledge to adhere to health and rigorous sanitation protocols. Safety signs reminding visitors to stay six feet apart and wear a facial covering when they cannot to do so have been placed in every municipality in Warren County.
The home communities of those most interested in staying overnight, according to the survey results, are in the Westchester, Orange and Dutchess counties areas, officials said. Respondents from Massachusetts and areas of Long Island and Central New York also showed strong interest in overnight visits, according to the survey.
Most respondents (62 percent) said they planned to stay overnight while 24 percent said they sometimes stay overnight and sometimes come for just the day. This means 86 percent of respondents stay or sometimes stay overnight, showing strong continued interest in booking lodging, which generates occupancy tax and likely increased sales tax revenues, both of which offset local property tax burdens of residents, officials said.
The survey, conducted by email, reached people who had provided an email address to Warren County or Lake George area businesses. It was promoted through the Warren County Tourism Department, Mannix Marketing and Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce social media channels.
Approximately 30 prizes were donated by area businesses to encourage participation in the survey.
Officials said that particularly notable was the finding that 29 percent of people surveyed plan to visit three or more times this year, with 11 percent of respondents planning to visit five or more times.
“We are thankful for the generosity of local businesses who donated prizes to help encourage participation,” said Chamber Executive Director Gina Mintzer. “The survey results provided keen insight into the sentiments of travelers to our area. This will assist us as we continue to communicate with our valued visitors and plan for the future as a business community. More than ever we have pivoted our communications and marketing strategies as we listen to consumers. Our area is rich in the top five activities and interests travelers deemed most important,”
“The Lake George area offers the perfect combination of family attractions and unlimited, healthy outdoor recreation. We encourage visitors to stay a few days to experience the fun of Lake George and then venture out to explore our hiking trails and paddling routes, cycle our country roads and raft our rivers. Small town charm awaits with quaint restaurants serving locally sourced food and small boutique shopping. Survey results show that visitors are seeking a safe and uncrowded summer vacation, which is exactly what we have to offer,” said Warren County Tourism Director Joanne Conley.