Governor Hochul Announces Launch of Applications for $125 Million Relief Programs Supporting State's Tourism Industry
March 30, 2022
$100 Million Tourism Return-to-Work Program to Encourage Job Growth
$25 Million Meet in New York Grant Program Supports Return of Large Events
Part of Governor's $450 Million "Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs" Inclusive Recovery Package
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of applications for two tourism grant programs designed to support and revitalize New York State's tourism and hospitality industry. The $100 million Tourism Return-to-Work grant program and the $25 million Meet in New York grant program were first announced in November as part of the governor's nation-leading "Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs" initiative. Both programs will now be making full applications available to tourism businesses, convention and conference centers, and licensed overnight lodging facilities that have qualified for the program.
"The pandemic challenged the entire New York State business community, but its effects were especially damaging to our tourism and hospitality professionals," Governor Hochul said. "These programs are targeted to get help businesses rehire workers and bring new, world-class conventions and events to our communities - sparking the statewide economic engine that is tourism. New York is the most exciting, most vibrant, and most engaging place on the planet, and we need to do all we can to invite and welcome visitors from around the world."
New York State's tourism and hospitality industry and workforce were severely impacted by devastating effects of COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, the industry supported one in ten jobs throughout the state. Recognizing the importance of getting New York's tourism employees back to work, Governor Hochul unveiled the $100 million Tourism Return-to-Work grant program to support the rehiring of workers by providing grants to tourism industry businesses that suffered pandemic-related economic hardship. Additionally, the $25 million Meet in New York grant program was created to catalyze the return of events, meetings and trade shows that generate business travel, by covering a portion of event-based costs at conference spaces and partnering hotels.