Community-Engaged Tourism

Advances the scenic, cultural, and community-based qualities of the NYS Route 97 Upper Delaware Scenic Byway through ongoing promotion and enhancement initiatives.

Coordinates over 15,000 annual volunteer hours supporting heritage railway operations, including car hosting, gift shop staffing, railbike assistance, and fleet operation; has contributed over 400,000 total volunteer hours since 1992 to expand services.

Provides group excursion options for parties of 25 or more with discounted rates, and offers private charter services for individual railcars or full trains for events such as weddings, corporate outings, and fundraisers.

Runs a gift shop at the Utica Train Station (321 Main Street) and provides public information through FAQs, member newsletters (Adirondack Railroad Crew News), and open board meetings for paid members.

Operates round-trip scenic train excursions from Utica to destinations including Old Forge, Tupper Lake, and Thendara, providing public access to natural and community attractions in the Adirondack Park. These include regular seasonal services, themed rides like the High Peaks Limited, and special event trains such as the Beer & Wine Train Series.

Offers complimentary shuttle transportation in Old Forge and Tupper Lake with stops at local attractions such as The Wild Center and Raquette River Brewing during layovers. Operates café cars providing food and beverage service, including light meals, snacks, and select ticketed excursions with included continental breakfast, hors d'oeuvres, and alcoholic beverages.

Engages in the rehabilitation, maintenance, and preservation of the Adirondack Corridor rail line and historic sites such as the Thendara station, ensuring operational and historical integrity of the heritage railway system.

Allows passengers to bring bicycles, kayaks, canoes, camping gear, and other outdoor equipment on board at no additional cost to facilitate seamless access to outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks.

Manages behind-the-scenes roles including fundraising, marketing, publication design, and coordination of Greeter visits to support the organization’s core visitor programs.

Organizes international cultural exchanges, such as a greeter tour in Malegno, Italy, allowing volunteers to participate in reciprocal hospitality experiences abroad.

Matches travelers with disabilities to volunteer Greeters to facilitate accessible exploration of New York City, including education about accessible public transit options. This program ensures inclusive visitor experiences through tailored, guided visits.

Offers an accessible NYC guide developed in partnership with New York City Tourism + Conventions, supporting travelers with disabilities and promoting inclusive tourism.

Offers personalized, informal walking tours lasting two to four hours, led by local volunteer Greeters who share insider knowledge of neighborhoods, cultural sites, restaurants, shops, and transportation. Tours are provided free of charge to groups of up to six visitors traveling together, with approximately 5,000 visitors served annually across more than 100 neighborhoods in all five boroughs.

Promotes sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural and cultural integrity of the Finger Lakes region as an unspoiled travel destination.

Produces and distributes multiple printed publications including the Explore Finger Lakes travel guide, regional maps, and specialized guides on fishing, winter activities, and outdoor adventures, with 125,000 travel guides and 75,000 mini guides produced in one reported year.

Operates and maintains the Explore Finger Lakes website and fingerlakes.org, providing travel information and generating hundreds of thousands of visits and millions of page views annually (e.g., 1.03M page views in 2024, 1.58M in 2023).

Markets and promotes a wide range of tourism experiences in the Finger Lakes region, including outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, cultural and culinary attractions, farm-to-table dining, and lodging options, tailored to visitor interests from relaxation to adventure.

Operates and promotes four distinct wine trails around Canandaigua, Cayuga, Keuka, and Seneca Lakes, and supports a network of over 140 wineries in the Finger Lakes region.