Tourism

Tourism is a massive global industry today that communities and nations utilize to draw more people into their country for revenue. However, it was not until post-Second World War that tourism flourished, and governments were not even the first ones to recognize its potential as a great source of revenue  Its revenue and development potential were soon recognized and pursued in the expansionary post-war economy, first by individual entrepreneurs and then governments. The desire to explore new destinations has been a key driving force into expanding tourism as a major industry.

Throughout the decades that followed post-Second World War, the number of tourists entering and exiting communities and countries has continuously grown on a massive scale. It may have been due to the history and nature of travel as a part of an individuals lifestyle, which evolved into mass tourism later on. Basically, individual here refers to people who are privileged to travel around and explore new destinations. However, all of that changed once more opportunities came for people of all classes, especially those that were least fortunate to enjoy traveling in the past. Traveling used to have a deeper purpose other than relaxation and recreation which are two of the major purposes of tourists today. The natural settings and resources present combined with relaxation and recreational facilities complement these two major purposes of tourists. People are given the opportunity to explore and enjoy the natural surroundings of the area, as well as relieve themselves of all the stress and hassles which their life back at home can bring.
   
Of course, the growth and development of tourism are in fact dependent upon the demand for tourism refers to the number of people that are traveling or are willing to. In the book The Geography of Tourism and Recreation Environment, Place, and Space, Colin Hall and Stephen Page highlight three main elements of tourism demand Effective or Actual Demand, Suppressed Demand, and No Demand. In a nutshell, effective or actual demand refers to the actual number of people who are traveling. Basically, this is the most used demographic to measure the growth of tourism, and its number of participants. Subsequently, there is also the case wherein, although they possess the willingness to travel, they are hindered usually by lack of economic and social opportunities which later on can change indefinitely. This is known as suppressed demand, which can either be potential, wherein it can turn into an effective demand if there are changes in economic and social conditions and opportunities, or deferred, wherein the shortage of tourism supply and resources can be turned into effective demand when other destinations within the area can accommodate it. Finally, no demand is the absence of any desire to travel by a certain population. However, these different types of demand are driven by motivation wherein people are wanting or needing the comforts and pleasures tied to traveling.
   
There are also issues that affect the growth and development of tourism. Basically, it can generate positive and negative effects to the communities that promote them. It may have great contributions to the social, economic, and natural environments of the communities, but it has also been a major catalyst of change within these communities, which usually comes with a price (Murphy 30). One example of the negative impact of tourism is the establishment of businesses which take over the local ones, as well as ruin the natural settings and resources which made the place beautiful in the first place. Of course, this would only happen if those businesses did not bode well with their surroundings. In short, it can ruin the motivation of some tourists who wanted to see the natural setting of the destination. Others, of course, include those that affect the culture and the natives of the destination, as well as the lifestyle that the outsiders would bring to the community, especially if such lifestyle or culture contrasts that of the locals.
   
Using these factors, the paper will analyze the town of New Paltz in the state of New York, and promote it as a premiere destination which tourists should not miss out on. The paper will share a brief history of the town. It will also highlight all the different attractions which New Paltz has to offer. Moreover, it will also tackle the natural sanctuaries that New Paltz harbors for tourists who seek to relax and escape from their busy life back in the metro. Finally, it will also highlight great places wherein these tourists can park themselves before venturing out and enjoying the town of New Paltz.

History Check A Brief Look on New Paltzs Background
Calvinists that escaped the persecution in Europe found their way on the area wherein New Paltz lies today. Back then, it was a small farming village that focused on producing apples, and it had been isolated from the outside world for two centuries since its establishment. During the state of isolation, the population slowly expanded further away from the Wallkill river, wherein the village was located. As they expanded further, they started to concentrate on higher education and established the New Paltz Academy, and then opened its doors to visitors through the installment of the Wallkill Valley Railroad which brought fresh produce from the town to markets in nearby areas. Later on, the New York State Thruway was built.
The town boasts a rich history and has retained its the apple industry as its primary business to this date. The town also managed to retain most of its old features such as buildings, roads, and other destinations which tourists should definitely see. In the next section, the different historical and natural attractions will all be highlighted.
 
The Offerings of New Paltz
Located at Ulster county, New Paltz has a lot to offer for tourists. These are separated into a number of diverse categories, even those that do not necessarily fall under attractions but nonetheless can be considered helpful in providing a better experience for those that wish to visit the town. They can be separated under the following categories (1) Town Setting, (2) Scenic Beauty, (3) Historical Heritage, (4) Educational Opportunity, (5) Recreational Resources, (6) Spiritual Vitality, (7) Government, (8) Business Diversity, and (9) Area Connections (Stout). Arranging all of the features that New Paltz offers per category will make it easier to understand why it is a great tourist spot.
   
Town Setting. New Paltz boasts a mixture of both rural and urban atmospheres which complement each other perfectly. Its rural aspects are quite evident in the presence of natural wildlife, agriculture, as well as parks and gardens throughout the town and within its outskirts. Of course, the primary urban atmosphere of the town is evident in the State University of New York wherein it houses a diverse population of students from different parts of America and the world. However, one atmosphere does not overshadow the other which is good since it helps preserve the relaxing mood of the town. Other than the college, another example of a place wherein both atmospheres combine that may be visited by tourists is the Moriello Pool  Park which houses a large community pool and other sets of pools for kids and those that want to do laps. It also has a park wherein those that do not wish to swim can simply relax. Overall, the town is covered with both natural and urban settings, most of which are recreational and educational facilities that make it such a scenic place to visit.
   
Scenic Beauty. Due to the harmonious combination of natural or rural and urban elements, the town itself becomes scenic. After all, the town is located near the Wallkill River Valley, as well as the Shawangunk Mountain in the west. Shawangunk Mountain offers an adventurous challenge for people who are into mountain climbing and rappelling. Tourists who are enthusiasts of the two sports can make their way here and simply have fun while enjoying a great view from the top. On the ridge itself, the Mohonk Mountain House and Mohonk Preserve can provide guests a more relaxing and adventurous experience since they offer lodging, a lake for boat rides and swimming, picnic spots, hiking trails, and even a nature study and environmental programs. Hence, from this side of New Paltz, tourists can sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery from this elevation. Of course, not all beautiful sceneries can be found on the mountains alone. The town boasts apple orchards that, when in bloom, become a magnificent display of beauty. In short, New Paltz displays a lot of sceneries which tourists can enjoy all throughout their visit.
   
Historical Heritage. As mentioned in the historical background section, New Paltz was founded by Calvinists most likely French who found refuge in Germany. Many of the original stone houses are still standing which included around seven houses, a church, a burial ground, and the DuBois Fort, which was converted to the visitor center of this preserved village Other than the village, Huguenot Street boasts a lot of history since most of the structures that line the streets are preserved in its original form. It has also been considered as a National Historic Landmark since it is one of the oldest streets in America which still has habitants to this date. Furthermore, tourists can also stop by the Huguenot Historical Society of New Paltz New York Museum Shop if they would like to take home some souvenirs of this town filled with history. Overall, this town is simply filled with so much history as it is pretty much evident in the historic district of Huguenot Street and the preserved village with its original structures.
   
Educational Opportunity. Not only does the town of New Paltz offer amazing sceneries and historic attractions, but also great educational facilities which also make it a premiere place to consider as residence. New Paltz is home to the State University of New York which offers excellent fine and performing arts courses within this region of the state. The presence of this college provides a perfect complement to the cultural history of this place. Other than the college which it houses, New Paltz also harbors the Unison Arts  Learning Center which is a non-profit organization that offers various performing and fine arts programs, as well as other workshops and classes for the sake of enriching community and cultural life. Of course, it is not only education in culture and art that New Paltz provides. It also provides education for elementary and secondary levels. Furthermore, the primary office of BOCES the agency of Ulster County Schools that provides technical education as well as services to students and faculty within the area is located in New Paltz. Overall, New Paltz provides a rich educational experience for its residents as well as the students that come over to study. It also provides jobs for those who are pursuing a career in education.
   
Recreational Resources. Like all tourist destinations, New Paltz also offers recreational facilities and resources designed to provide pleasure and relaxation to everyone. The usual recreational facilities that can be found in this town are the hiking and climbing trails located in its scenic Shawangunk Mountains. Of course, it is not limited to these mountains. There is also the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail which provides a pathway for biking, jogging, and even skiing during winter. There are also ballparks, community pools, parks, and even a golf course located for recreational use. The Mohonk Golf Course is one of the main recreational facilities in New Paltz located near the mountain house and the preserve. Of course, if relaxation is the purpose of the tourist, they can simply go to the mountains and enjoy the scenery, or they can also take a trip to the Jenkinstown Day Spa. They offer all kinds of services that may help rejuvenate tourists and relieve them from all kinds of stress that they experience in the busy urban setting. Thus, since New Paltz has a lot of recreational activities and facilities to offer for tourists, there is certainly a guarantee that they would never get bored while visiting this town.
   
Spiritual Vitality. Being founded by Calvinists that migrated to America, New Paltz is definitely a religious community which is one of the key aspects of New Paltz that tourists should be aware of. There are a diverse range of Christian denominations in New Paltz, the largest of which is St. Joseph s Roman Catholic Church. Of course, other religions can also be found in New Paltz since it is open to all faiths. In short, tourists can experience the spiritual diversity in New Paltz without any boundaries that may hinder them to do so. With that being said, New Paltz opens it arms to all cultures and faiths.
   
Government. The entire area of New Paltz is primarily composed of the township which expanded from the original location, and the original village that lies within the center as the entire town s core. The village, being the core of the entire town, is actually its main business district since it houses many of the historical attractions that can be seen in the town, as well as the Village Hall. The township expanded around the radius of the village. Moreover, the village and the town are two separate jurisdictions which provide government services to each area. However, the police force provides coverage for the entire area of New Paltz since these two jurisdictions are considered as a single town. Basically, tourists can be assured that the police, fire, and health departments and services all cover the entire New Paltz area which is a plus for their safety.
   
Business Diversity. The main business district may be located in the village, but it does not mean that the other areas of New Paltz are barren spots for businesses to open up. In fact, there are more than three hundred businesses, big and small, that reside in New Paltz. The types of business services available vary from satisfying hunger, providing recreational activities as well as places for lodging such as hotels and bed  breakfasts. Basically, there are hundreds of places for tourists to go to for food, fun, excitement, education, and lodging. With the definite number of places present in New Paltz, there is certainly no problem in accommodating tourists. Tourists can also check out the web site of the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce wherein listings of the different businesses under specific categories can be found.
   
Area Connections. New Paltz is located in Ulster County which is a big area wherein the City of Kingston is its largest community and closest large community to New Paltz. Furthermore, the areas that surround New Paltz also have great tourist attractions which would be worth visiting. Being the center of it all, New Paltz will be the ideal place for tourists to park themselves and visit each tourist attraction in other communities and areas from there. In short, New Paltz is a great start off point for touring other areas, other than the town of New Paltz itself.
  
These are the most significant offerings services and attractions that New Paltz can provide for tourists. It ranges from historical attractions to recreational facilities. With the opportunities that await travelers, New Paltz is indeed a place worth visiting.

Places to Stay
One of the most important factors in promoting tourism for the community is to provide places which can accommodate tourists especially if their numbers are quite high. Tourists tend to add this part to their traveling plans before departing from their hometowns. There are also times when tourists tend to scan for places where they can lodge as soon as they arrive at the place of their destination. Thus, all tourist destinations more or less have places wherein they can accommodate tourists, depending on the availability of the spaces within the place. It can also vary, depending on the tourist spot. For example, camping trips often accommodate travelers in camping grounds for better security since it protects them better from wildlife.
   
In the case of New Paltz, there are ideal places wherein tourists can be accommodated. Of course, these places would depend on the tourists since they all have various tastes and are separated with different economic opportunities. For tourists who want to enjoy a scenic view when they wake up, then they should stay at the Mohonk Mountain House wherein the cool breeze in the morning can sooth their senses as well as rejuvenate them. The view from this mountain resort is also incomparable to that of the other places for accommodations. For tourists that enjoy wildlife, exploring, and camping, then they can stay at one of the many camping grounds near New Paltz such as the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park. For tourists that are strict with their budget or just staying in for the night, then they can go for motels and bed  breakfasts located around town such as Moondance Ridge BB and Econolodge. Thus, it is necessary for tourists to know places for accommodation beforehand so that they may spend more time in enjoying the trip rather than wasting time looking for places to stay during the whole vacation period.

New Paltz A Great Tourist Getaway 
Based on the factors such as tourism demand and the issues tied to tourism from Murphy, Hall, and Page as presented in the introduction section, it is quite certain that New Paltz can be considered a premiere tourist destination. There are a number of reasons which may explain the claim.
   
The first reason would be that New Paltz is rich in culture and history. Basically, tourists visit places to see historical attractions for themselves, especially those that they see in magazines, newspapers, web pages, and the like. Normally, their curiosity would be stimulated once a featured historical attraction caught their attention. In places like New Paltz, historical monuments and buildings have been preserved in order for tourists to see what their history is. Also, historical places would tend to exhibit a culture that may be slightly different from the quick-paced urban culture. Furthermore, there are also art galleries, museums located in New Paltz which showcase artwork done by students of the State University of New York and other local artists. Therefore, a town like New Paltz is worth paying a visit for those interested in wonderful historical sites and artwork.
   
Second, New Paltz has a lot of recreational facilities which are more inclined to nature and different from urban recreational facilities. The place is surrounded by a natural environment which hikers, explorers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts can simply enjoy. There are a lot of camping grounds within the proximity of the town as well as in the  Shawangunk Mountain Range. Other outdoor activities such as biking, mountain climbing, skiing, and rappelling are also available for those who are into a more energetic and exciting lifestyle. For those who want to sit back and relax, then the numerous parks, botanical gardens, and the scenic view from the mountain should make their day. New Paltz is also known for its numerous apple orchards which, when in bloom, can be such a wonderful sight. Therefore, New Paltz is a town which possesses both urban and rural lifestyles that certainly give city dwellers a feel of home while exploring and experiencing a different way of life.
   
Finally, New Paltz provides a lot of opportunities for people to simply enjoy a fun, relaxing, and scenic environment. Educational opportunities such as art workshops, short courses, as well as environmental study courses are all available within the area of New Paltz. Furthermore, there are services which can make the trip more enjoyable for people such as those that provide safety so that tourists need not worry much. There are also valuable web sites that can help tourists answer their inquiries about places within New Paltz. There are also opportunities and services that can be affordable for people who do not have that much purchasing power, but can still enjoy recreational and relaxation activities, as well as lodging expenses. Therefore, New Paltz is indeed a place which can cater to all enthusiasts who are indeed looking for something different and on the natural side of things.