Summer is almost over and soon it will be fall. As we await new data from Tourism Economics on Sullivan County’s visitation and visitor spending, we are certain this summer was a busy one. 

New businesses opened their doors this summer, including Bar Veloce in Narrowsburg—a new Italian wine bar with several locations in New York City—while other long-standing Sullivan Catskills businesses saw new upgrades—the Monster Golf Course at Resorts World Catskills, Sullivan County Golf Club, and Holiday Mountain. We wish them all the best of luck and know they will inspire new and additional visitation to our Sullivan Catskills destination.

At the beginning of August, we hosted journalist Perri Blumberg for a media visit to discover all things new in the Sullivan Catskills. A prolific writer, we look forward to her forthcoming articles.

We also unveiled two new doves on the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail. Their nests are now home at Burn Brae Mansion and Kadampa Meditation Center in Glen Spey. This year we are adding ten dove sculptures to the Dove Trail, bringing the total to 70.

What started out as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock festival is now a popular attraction and legacy trail that honors our Sullivan Catskills’ towns, businesses and landmarks. Make sure to visit our website, www.sullivancatskills.com, to view the updated Dove Trail map and guide, and follow along as we unveil the remaining two doves for this year! 

Speaking of landmarks, the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project has recently unveiled new markers in Mountaindale and Swan Lake. This initiative interprets and designates places important to the Borscht Belt’s vibrant history and considers its impact on American Jewish life, the legacy of the Catskills, New York State history and American culture.

This large-scale interpretive marker system will be easily accessible to the public, benefit the communities they are placed in by sparking interest in local history, and educate citizens and visitors alike about the events that have shaped our past. 

As we rounded out August, our staff recently attended the Connect Marketplace meetings and events convention in Minneapolis to meet one-on-one with key decision makers, learn from industry experts, and network with like-minded peers. With 3,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors, we worked on generating leads to bring business back to the county.

For more information about the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, visit www.sullivancatskills.com or call 845-747-4449. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the free app Sullivan Catskills GO!