A state-funded report on New York’s tourism economy says visitors spent $6.1 billion on Long Island in 2018.
That’s an increase of 4.5% over 2017, and the first-time tourism has exceeded $6 billion.
Long Island supports more than 80,000 tourism jobs, and the industry paid workers $2 billion in wages, while generating $740 million in state and local tax revenue last year.
The island broke attendance records as well.
Suffolk County’s beaches attracted more than 425,000 visitors this summer, 10% more than last year.
And attendance at county parks more than doubled this year with about 26,500 visitors.
County government generated a record high number of seasonal permits. More permits were sold this year than the three previous years by more than 8%.
Campsites at popular county campgrounds were sold out over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
