1000 Islands

The TIRTDC is a New York State 501(c3) nonprofit corporation, whose largest stakeholders are the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority (TIBA) and Jefferson County, New York. The Corporation contracts as the official Tourism Promotion Agency for Jefferson County and receives occupancy tax funds from the county. The TIRTDC works closely with the Ontario-based destination marketing organizations to coordinate international marketing efforts.

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Through an agreement for staff and services with the TIBA, the Corporation has four full-time staff members, as well as seasonal staff. Its overall budget for 2023 is approximately $1.3 million USD.

The mission of the TIRTDC is development, promotion, enhancement and retention of the tourism industry and its associated employment base within the territory encompassing generally the County of Jefferson in the State of New York, an area of approximately the same size in the southern portion of eastern Ontario, Canada, abutting the St. Lawrence River and approximately opposite Jefferson County, but extending slightly farther both easterly and westerly for the overall economic benefit of the region.

Key program objectives are:

• Create unified marketing effort for the 1000 Islands bi-national region
   

• Maintain core visitation in traditional tourism seasons
   

• Attract new visitors to area
   

• Lengthen average stay, increase average spending
   

• Promote cross-visitation of communities and attractions within region
   

• Develop traffic in shoulder and "off" seasons
   

• Support health and growth of local tourism businesses
   

• Support introduction new tourism products
   

• Encourage investment in tourism in region

The Thousand Islands Regional Tourism Development Corporation (dba 1000 Islands International Tourism Council) is governed by a nine-member board of directors. The Corporation’s principal supporters appoint members to the board. Five members are appointed by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority and four members are appointed by the Jefferson County Board of Legislators.