I LOVE NY's Weekly Fall Foliage Reports Begin Wednesday, September 13; Available at iloveny.com/foliage Integrated Marketing Campaign Will Encourage Travelers to Explore Seasonal Attractions Throughout New York State Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the start of New York's fall foliage and travel season. Thanks to one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country, autumn is traditionally one of New York's most popular travel times, attracting visitors from around the world who explore the seasonal attractions throughout the state's unique and diverse regions. To encourage and help travelers plan a fall getaway, I LOVE NY will be launching an integrated marketing campaign, and weekly foliage reports return on September 13, with updates issued every Wednesday throughout the season. ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York's fall foliage and travel season welcomes guests from around the world to eat, experience and explore all that the state offers. Fall travel provides a unique opportunity to enjoy both indoor attractions and outdoor destinations, highlighted by the Empire State’s brilliant and colorful autumn landscape. When travelers visit our communities this fall, they are also adding economic vibrancy in supporting our small businesses and generating new growth that helps regions thrive." ESD Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "As we welcome the start of the popular fall travel season, I LOVE NY continues to encourage residents and visitors alike to plan a getaway, explore new places and regions, and see for themselves why it's easy to fall in love with New York. Our size and geography mean that each week throughout the fall it is peak foliage somewhere in New York State. When coupled with our amazing array of fall favorite activities like apple and pumpkin picking, visiting wineries and craft beverage producers, hiking, biking, paddling, celebrating Halloween and enjoying outdoor fall festivals, travelers have the makings of an unforgettable autumn trip right here in the Empire State." New York State traditionally has one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country, thanks in part to its size and geography. I LOVE NY's fall foliage reports are compiled weekly using the on-location field observations from a team of more than 85 volunteers throughout the state's 11 vacation regions. The spotters track color changes in their area by detailing the prevalent leaf colors, and predicting both the percentage of total transition and how much the foliage will have progressed relative to peak conditions for the upcoming weekend. Peak conditions, considered the best that the foliage will look in a given season, generally occur between late September and mid-November, depending on the location. As part of the report, an interactive foliage map on the I LOVE NY website tracks weekly changes and progression throughout the season. The map offers recommended viewing locations, examples of peak foliage in designated areas, and information about popular local and regional attractions. It also provides an option for users to filter attractions by category, including arts and culture, and food and drink. The I LOVE NY fall campaign will also be supported by television, digital and social media advertising efforts, featuring examples of the vast variety of locations to experience Fall in New York State. Travelers are invited to share their best New York State foliage photos on social media using the #NYLovesFall hashtag for a chance to be featured on the I LOVE NY website and official social media accounts, reaching more than two million followers on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Threads. Reports and the interactive foliage map are available at www.iloveny.com/foliage, or toll-free at 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories and Canada. About Empire State Development Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY" the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. About New York State New York State is a premier vacation destination with world-class attractions, picturesque natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine and a booming craft beverage scene, an array of accommodations, and iconic, year-round festivals and events. Its 11 diverse vacation regions feature some of the world’s top ranked beaches; two out of America’s top three favorite state parks; breathtaking Niagara Falls; more ski areas than any other state; one of the nation’s longest foliage seasons; multiple Halls of Fame; the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States; and the country’s longest multi-use trail. Add in the state’s unique museums, historic landmarks, cultural sites, charming small towns and urban playgrounds, and it’s no wonder New York has been consistently chosen as a top getaway by travel publications and experts. For more information, visit www.iloveny.com. Contact: ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313