Sullivan County Wins Statewide Tourism Excellence Award
The New York State Tourism Industry Association recognized the county's lodging-tax-funded grant program for transformational tourism advocacy.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
Sullivan County received the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Award for its Tourism Grant Program, presented in the Transformational Tourism Stewardship: Tourism Advocacy category. The award was presented to Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz by Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association President and CEO Michael Martelon.
Why it matters
The program channels lodging tax revenue paid by overnight visitors back into grants for local businesses, events, and organizations that support the region's tourism economy. Recognition at the state level highlights a model that few other New York counties operate at this scale.
Sullivan County's visitor economy has grown to more than $1 billion, supported by lodging tax revenue collected from overnight visitors. The extraction does not report the total grant dollars distributed or the number of recipients.
The players
Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association
The county tourism promotion agency that administers the grant program and presented the award through its president and CEO.
Nadia Rajsz
Chair of the Sullivan County Legislature who received the award on the county's behalf.
New York State Tourism Industry Association
The statewide industry group that presented the 2026 Tourism Excellence Award.
The details
The New York State Tourism Industry Association presented the award to Sullivan County, with the program developed with county staff and administered by the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association. The grants fund local businesses, events, and organizations that contribute to tourism in the region.
Timeline
Award presented Thursday, week of November 6, 2026, at an Economic Development Committee meeting in Monticello.
Market Landscape
Sullivan County's program directs lodging tax revenue into grants, a model that positions the county apart from other New York tourism agencies that do not operate grant programs of comparable scale. The award reflects a broader state effort to recognize tourism advocacy that connects visitor spending to local community investment.
Local businesses, event organizers, and nonprofits in Sullivan County may be able to apply for grants funded by lodging tax revenue from overnight visitors. Residents and visitors see this funding return to community organizations that support the region's tourism economy.
The takeaway
Tourism revenue can be reinvested directly into the local businesses and organizations that generate it, a model that Sullivan County now offers as a statewide example. Community groups interested in similar funding structures can study how lodging tax dollars are redirected through grants.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how grant programs like this one support community organizations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Radio Catskill.
