Westchester County Visitor Spending Climbs to $2.5 billion, Leading Hudson Valley Growth
More than $150 million in additional visitor spending in one year underscores tourism’s growing value to Westchester businesses, workers and communities
Visitors spent $2.53 billion across Westchester County in 2025, a 6.4% increase that led all counties in the Hudson Valley and outpaced New York State’s overall growth of 3.9%, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics. The increase represents more than $150 million in additional visitor spending in a single year, while tourism supported 22,653 jobs and generated $292.8 million in state and local tax revenue in Westchester.
Westchester accounted for 45% of all visitor spending across the Hudson Valley, by far the largest share of the six-county region. The County also generated $1.42 billion in tourism-supported personal income — more than the other five Hudson Valley counties combined.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Tourism is a powerful economic engine for Westchester. It supports more than 22,000 jobs, strengthens businesses in communities across the County and generates nearly $293 million in state and local tax revenue. Reaching $2.5 billion in visitor spending shows the enormous value of this sector to our economy and our residents. Westchester has built tremendous momentum, and we want to continue creating opportunities for our businesses, our workforce and our communities to benefit.”
The latest Tourism Economics study found that Westchester visitor spending increased from $2.38 billion in 2024 to $2.53 billion in 2025. The County outpaced the Hudson Valley overall, where spending grew 3.8%, as well as every other county in the region.
Key findings for Westchester County include:
- $2.53 billion in direct visitor spending, up 6.4% in one year — the strongest growth in the Hudson Valley — and more than $150 million above 2024.
- Westchester accounts for 45% of all Hudson Valley visitor spending, by far the largest share of any county in the region.
- Tourism supported 22,653 Westchester jobs in 2025, an increase of 587 jobs from 2024, along with $1.42 billion in personal income — more tourism-supported personal income than the other five Hudson Valley counties combined.
- Tourism generated $292.8 million in state and local taxes, representing 43% of the Hudson Valley tourism tax base and saving the average Westchester household an estimated $785 in taxes that otherwise would have been required to maintain the same level of government revenue.
Taken together, the findings reinforce Westchester’s role as an economic engine for Hudson Valley tourism: the County accounts for 45% of regional visitor spending, more than half of tourism-supported personal income and 43% of tourism-generated state and local taxes.
Westchester County Tourism & Film Director Natasha Caputo said: “Westchester has an extraordinary range of compelling reasons to visit, but having a great destination is only part of the equation. Our role is to take everything our tourism partners are creating — from hospitality and dining to culture, history, entertainment and outdoor experiences — and bring it to market, reaching new audiences and giving travelers reasons to choose Westchester, stay longer and return. These results underscore why destination development and destination marketing need to work hand in hand and the opportunity we have to keep growing.”
Westchester’s visitor economy has expanded by more than 50% since 2021, growing from approximately $1.66 billion in visitor spending to $2.53 billion in 2025, with gains recorded every year during that period.
More Reasons to Visit Westchester
The strong results come as Westchester continues to add new reasons to visit. In 2026, major cultural milestones, events and destination investments are giving travelers fresh ways to experience the County throughout the year.
Among them is The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, which is marking its 100th anniversary in 2026 while continuing to draw visitors through a robust calendar of live entertainment and special events. Centennial programming includes The Capitol Theatre 100th Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 19, followed by performances from artists including Roger Daltrey on Sept. 22, with concerts, comedy and other programming continuing throughout the fall. Beyond its public performance calendar, the historic venue also serves as a destination for private concerts, corporate meetings, weddings and other special events, with spaces ranging from the intimate Garcia’s to the 2,000-person capacity main theater.
The Capitol Theatre President Peter Shapiro said: “For 100 years, people have traveled to Port Chester to gather at The Capitol Theatre. The artists and audiences have changed over the decades, but that sense of connection has remained constant. We’re proud to be part of Westchester’s cultural landscape and its thriving visitor economy, and this centennial is an opportunity to celebrate both our history and the community that has sustained The Cap for a century.”
The Capitol Theatre anniversary is one of several major visitor experiences making 2026 a standout year for Westchester tourism. Earlier this summer, the County hosted a large-scale FIFA World Cup Final Watch Experience at Kensico Dam Plaza, while its Rooted in Westchester initiative has brought America’s 250th anniversary to life through historic sites, exhibitions and special programming. A centerpiece is The Declaration Distributed: Westchester County’s Holt Broadside of 1776 at the Neuberger Museum of Art, offering visitors a rare opportunity to see Westchester County’s historic Holt Broadside of the Declaration of Independence.
The momentum continues this fall with REV FEST 250, featuring hundreds of living history exhibitors and a reenactment of the Battle of White Plains; The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze; Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience; the new Autumn Glow Festival; JazzFest White Plains; Hudson Valley Restaurant Week; and more.
Westchester is also seeing continued investment in its hospitality and meetings product, including the introduction of Windrose on Hudson in Ossining, the reopening of The Kittle House Inn in Chappaqua and the Sleepy Hollow Hotel joins the Dolce by Wyndham collection.
Westchester Hotel Association President Sean Meade said: “Westchester’s strength as both a leisure and meetings destination gives travelers more reasons to come and more reasons to stay. Our hotels and restaurants help turn that demand into overnight stays, longer trips and broader economic activity across the County.”
The Tourism Economics study measured visitor activity across lodging, food and beverage, recreation, retail, transportation and other sectors. A visitor is defined as someone who stays overnight or travels more than 50 miles to the destination.
Source: Tourism Economics, Economic Impact of Visitors to New York 2025 – Hudson Valley Focus, published August 2026.
About Westchester County Tourism & Film
Westchester County Tourism & Film is the official destination marketing organization of Westchester County, N.Y. Its mission is to generate economic benefits for the County by enhancing and promoting its image as a premier Hudson Valley business and leisure destination, while attracting and supporting film, television, commercial, and digital media production throughout Westchester County. Encompassing big cities, small towns, farms, and vast expanses of natural beauty nestled between the scenic Hudson River and Long Island Sound, Westchester is easily accessible by car, its own regional airport (HPN), and three major rail lines. Accommodation choices range from independent properties to internationally branded hotels and conference centers. Learn more at visitwestchesterny.com and connect on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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