Western New York needs to attract more sporting events
MARY LOU RATH New York State Senator
According to a recent study by the Travel Industry of America, $182 billion was spent in 2006 on sports-related travel. Fifty percent of this travel - accounting for $91 billion - occurs at the amateur level.

Regional, national and international competitions are responsible for a lot of this travel. Here in Western New York we do very well at attracting these types of competitions, but, as chair of the Senate Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee, I feel the state as a whole can do better.

This week, as well as the past few weeks, local lodging establishments have been near capacity with events such as the USA Bowling Conference and the upcoming Bassmasters Elite Series. By attracting new visitors to our region, these events have a positive impact on our economy, and if people like what they see, they may be inclined to return.

I have drafted legislation, which recently passed the Senate, that aims to link tourism resources to amateur sports promotion. My bill creates the New York State Amateur Sports Development Advisory Council.

Amateur sports, whether through schools, clubs, leagues or otherwise, are a vital economic, health and recreational asset. Organized competitions attract hundreds of competitors, often from across the country and throughout the world.

For most people, whether through school sports, teams or leagues or individual participation,

amateur athletics are a primary source for exercise and recreation. My legislation will help promote amateur athletics by creating a council dedicated to publicizing the varied amateur athletic

opportunities available now, as well as helping to provide new amateur athletic pursuits.

An objective of the council will include working with participants, schools, clubs, organizations and companies that provide venues for events, lodging, travel and transportation companies to bring these groups together.

Local tourism-related entities, such as the Buffalo-Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau, devote a great deal of effort toward promoting our area, but there is currently no statewide network to assist their efforts. It is my hope that the council can provide a strong support system for local organizations and the activities they are trying to promote and the new business they hope to attract.

The council can also help by providing information on tourism activities that can be of interest to people traveling to the competition and highlight other scheduled activities or competitions that could conflict or be compatible with a planned event.

This bill is sponsored in the Assembly by the new tourism chair, Stephen Englebright. Should the measure be enacted, it will help to attract more high-level sporting events to Western New York and the entire state.