New data is highlighting where those visiting Cayuga County are coming from.
According to data from the Cayuga County Office of Tourism, the share of out-of-state visitors to the county reached 40% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 32% in the same period in 2025. The office said this indicates the county as a destination is “resonating with a broader geographic audience and attracting travelers from farther afield.”
Citing a report from Travel and Tour World, the office said that the growth in out-of-state visitors aligns with a national trend where, due to rising costs and geopolitics, Americans are choosing regional getaways and road trips over international travel. By emphasizing the county and wider region’s outdoor recreation, culinary scene, and “authentic regional experiences, the office said the county has an opportunity to reach a wider audience and attract more visitors to the area from across the country.
When it comes to in-state visitors, the data showed that New York City represented the largest visitor market at 16%, something the office says reflects a growing interest in Cayuga County and the Fingerlakes from the state’s largest metropolitan area. The office is also touting significant growth from the Albany-Schenectady-Troy market, with the travellers from the area making up 14% of in-state visitors, up from 10% in 2025.
There was also a slight decrease in the number of visitors from Rochester and Buffalo.
Tourism Director Courtney Kapser told FLX Local Media that the office will use this and other data it has gathered to inform its marketing strategy and what events and sites to promote to different geographic markets.
“Overall, the intelligence allows us to understand our visitor behavior for tighter media planning that we can pivot in real time when shifts occur and for spending sales and marketing dollars more efficiently.”
Kasper added that the office plans to make the data it collects accessible to tourism partners, such as attractions or restaurants, to help them plan their own marketing strategies.
