By Paul Post
This year’s strong summer tourist season reinforces a new report showing growth in Warren County’s hospitality industry.
The state Division of Tourism says visitor spending rose 3.1% to $956.6 million in 2025 and that tourism, which accounts for 23.5% of all county employment, generated $60.1 million in local tax revenue (up 3.4%) and $57.1 million in state tax revenue (up 4.7%)
Likewise, lodging remained the county’s largest visitor spending category, increasing more than $14 million from $467 million in 2024 to $481.6 million in 2025.
The findings are included in the state’s annual Economic Impact of Visitors to New York study.
“I was encouraged, but not surprised that those numbers were as strong as they were,” said Jim Siplon, Warren County Economic Development Corporation president. “The strength of the Lake George market and its draw is historic. It indicates the strength of the area’s identity and all the players in it.”
But Siplon said year-round tourism promotion must continue throughout the county, not just in Lake George.
North Creek, for example, has become a summer outdoor recreation hub with Revolution Rail, tubing and rafting expeditions. A new zip coaster ride slated to open next year is expected to be a major draw.
These complement North Creek’s role as a major winter destination, with skiing and snowboarding at Gore Mountain.
Recent attempts to make Lake George a more year-round destination have had limited success. Costly Winter Dreams and Winter Realm attractions were short-lived, due in part to mild weather.
“The experience wasn’t what everyone had hoped for,” Siplon said. “This is the challenge of adding to something that’s traditional and has been in place for a long time. It’s going to take a few starts and stops in order to build on that and learn as we go. I don’t feel like that was a huge failure. We learned a lot about what it’s going to take in order to make Lake George winter tourism work. I hope that informs all our decisions as we look to expand the shoulder and off-seasons.”
He said the local hospitality industry must also ensure it has capacity for visitors drawn by new events and attractions, including an Ironman 70.3 Triathlon coming to Lake George next June under a three-year agreement.
The county has committed more than $600,000 in occupancy tax money to this half-triathlon (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, 13.1-mile run) and the Town of Lake George will provide $250,000 annually.
The event is expected to draw thousands of competitors, coaches and spectators and build on the area’s growing reputation for sports-related tourism.
The village of Lake George got a boost this summer with a new state-of-the-art performance stage at Shepard Park, which hosted well-known artists and entertainers.
Sunny skies helped the 10th annual Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, June 27-28, draw nearly 6,000 patrons who accounted for 8,621 room nights and a $3.7 million regional economic impact.
“We had one of our best sales weekends yet,” festival owner Sasha Pardy said. “That’s why we started this festival, to support small family-owned craft beverage producers like us by giving them a platform to sample their amazing products to customers they wouldn’t otherwise have access to,” Pardy added.
The weekend after Labor Day, the village was packed again for the Adirondack Nationals Car Show, which drew large crowds, including hundreds of out-of-state visitors.
“The 2026 summer season really demonstrated the strength and diversity of the Lake George Region’s visitor economy,” said Gina Mintzer, Lake George Chamber of Commerce executive director. “There isn’t just one Lake George visitor anymore. On any given week, we’re welcoming families on their annual vacations, wedding guests, athletes and their families, summer camp parents, event attendees, couples on a getaway and day visitors from throughout the Capital Region and Northeast.”
“The data shows a larger share of visitors in the destination this summer, a particularly strong New York market, solid hotel occupancy and significant growth in short-term vacation rentals,” she said. “Just as importantly, visitors are moving throughout Warren County — staying, dining, shopping, visiting attractions, attending events and enjoying our outdoor recreation. That’s the real story of tourism here: people may come for Lake George, an event or a particular experience, but their economic impact reaches businesses and communities throughout the region.”
The Adirondack Balloon Festival ushers in Warren County’s autumn tourist season, generating extra income for area hotels, restaurants and retail shops.
From Oct. 2-4, Warrensburg will host the World’s Largest Garage Sale, while multiple venues host Oktoberfest celebrations during fall foliage season.
The state study said tourism was more important to the Adirondack Region’s economy last year than that of any other region in the state. Tourism supported 18.7 percent of all employment in the Adirondacks in 2025, the highest share of any tourism region in New York state.