CANANDAIGUA --- The Ontario County Board of Supervisors has passed a resolution recognizing May 2-10, 2015 as National Tourism Week in Ontario County. 
 
The Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, Ontario County’s official tourism agency, is commemorating this week by hosting the Midwest Travel Writers Conference May 5-10, 2015. The conference brings more than 60 travel journalists and travel industry professionals to Ontario County. 
 
These writers and photographers have affiliations with Washington Post, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Midwest Living Magazine, Dallas Morning News and other regional and national media outlets. They have also written guide books. Their specialties range from adventure travel, wine and culinary, family travel to culture and history, luxury travel and women’s getaways.
 
During their stay, the writers, photographers and industry professionals will visit destinations throughout the county, from wineries, microbreweries, and restaurants to Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park in Canandaigua, Belhurst Castle in Geneva and The Naples Hotel in Naples. The group will also get a preview of the soon-to-open Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor. 
 
Some of the members will be visiting other upstate New York communities before or after their stay in Ontario County, including Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo/Niagara Falls and Corning. 
 
“The strength of our tourism industry in Ontario County is its diversity,” said Finger Lakes Visitors Connection President Valerie Knoblauch. “We are looking forward to hosting the Midwest Travel Writers Association Conference. These members will see our region through fresh eyes and will go home with new and exciting ways to share our stories with regional and national audiences.” 
 
Participants will be sharing their experience on social media using the hashtag #MTWA15. 
 
Tourism is an important economic driver in Ontario County. In 2013, it generated more than $194,000,000 in direct spending, $13,483,000 in local tax revenue and $10,647,000 in state tax revenue, according to a 2014 report issued by Tourism Economics. It also provided jobs for 4,350 people. 
 
Finger Lakes Visitors Connection is the official tourism promotion agency for Ontario County, located at 25 Gorham St., Canandaigua, NY 14425. For more information, call (585) 394-3915 or go to www.visitfingerlakes.com.  

Media Contact: Karen Miltner, Public Relations Manager (585) 507-7885 cell karen@visitfingerlakes.com May 1, 2015