ROOST’s 2025 Leisure Travel Study Highlights Increased Visitor Spending in Essex County
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — A recent study from the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) reveals significant increases in visitor spending across Essex County, which amounted to approximately $988 million in 2025, marking it as the highest spending in the Adirondack region.
According to Dan Kelleher, CEO of ROOST, “That goes into supporting the families of people who work in tourism and the small businesses that we all enjoy. It also provides tax revenue to the local governments that provide the services that we all rely on.”
The study noted an 8% rise in estimated spending per trip throughout the region, averaging $1,914. Notably, restaurant spending surged by 28%, reaching $398 per party.
Kelleher emphasized the importance of understanding visitor interests, stating, “Every year we welcome about 4 million visitors to our region.” The main attractions are outdoor activities, with 65% of visitors citing these as their primary reason for visiting, including hiking, canoeing, skiing, and snowboarding.
Local businesses, such as the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, have experienced a positive impact, welcoming customers from various states in the northeast. General manager Josh Spanburgh noted an influx of patrons from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, all eager to enjoy the region.
Kelleher also highlighted the economic significance of tourism, mentioning, “It’s exceptionally important to our region to continue high rates of visitor spending. $0.37 of every dollar spent in this county comes from someone who doesn’t live here.”
