New York launches State of Cider tourism campaign

Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York Cider Association have launched the ‘NY State of Cider’ campaign, a statewide agricultural tourism initiative. The program is designed to boost rural economies, local orchards, and cider makers by connecting travelers with New York’s hard cider regions.

A central component of the campaign is a partnership with Airbnb to create a digital destination guide. This guide will highlight five distinct cider regions, pairing local accommodations with nearby cideries, orchards, restaurants, and outdoor recreation areas. The initiative leverages data showing that 86 percent of travelers express interest in visiting rural communities.

New York is currently the leading hard cider producer in the United States, possessing more active cideries than any other state, and is the nation’s second-largest apple producer. The state’s orchard and cider industries generate an annual economic impact exceeding $1.8 billion.