New York Launched Statewide Cider Tourism Campaign
The new initiative helps residents explore local orchards and producers through a digital travel guide.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Organic Food
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Governor Kathy Hochul has launched the NY State of Cider campaign to bolster agricultural tourism across the state. This initiative includes a new digital travel guide developed in partnership with Airbnb to connect visitors with regional cideries and agricultural attractions.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to support the state's agricultural industry and small businesses by increasing foot traffic to rural communities. This effort leverages the state's significant presence in the national apple and cider markets to drive local economic growth.
New York currently ranks second in national apple production and leads the country in the total number of hard cideries. While the sector contributes $1.8 billion to the economy, the campaign aims to further expand reach across five designated cider regions.
The players
Kathy Hochul
The Governor of New York who introduced the statewide agricultural tourism campaign.
New York Cider Association
An organization representing the state's cider producers that partnered with Airbnb to create a digital travel guide.
Airbnb
A global vacation rental platform that collaborated with the state to develop the digital cider tourism guide.
The details
The initiative functions by integrating regional agricultural assets into a centralized digital platform that maps out orchards, dining, and lodging. By highlighting five distinct cider regions, the program encourages travelers to explore rural areas while supporting local producers and maintaining the state's position as an apple-growing leader.
Timeline
The campaign initiative was first outlined in the 2026 State of the State address.
The official campaign launch took place on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Health Landscape
This campaign follows the broader trend of promoting agricultural tourism to sustain local economies and community health. It marks a transition from simple production to integrated, state-wide experiences that connect residents directly with regional food sources.
Residents can utilize the new digital guide to plan visits to regional farms, which provides an opportunity to engage with local produce and outdoor activities. Incorporating farm-to-table experiences and regional travel can be a rewarding way to support your local agricultural economy.
The takeaway
Supporting local cideries and orchards can provide a direct link to the state's agricultural backbone while encouraging active, outdoor exploration. Consider checking the new digital travel guide to identify farms and attractions in your region to visit this season.
Further reading
Learn more about local sourcing and regional agricultural trends in our Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Do you believe state-led tourism campaigns provide meaningful support to your local agricultural businesses?
