Islip aims to drive traffic to MacArthur

Islip town and tourism officials Thursday pledged to leverage Long Island MacArthur Airport in a bid to bring more tourism dollars to the region.

Moke McGowan, president of Long Island's tourism-promotion agency, told a business breakfast meeting hosted by the Hauppauge Industrial Association that the Ronkonkoma airfield is vital to growing an industry that in 2009 brought $4.4 billion in revenue and $280 million in taxes.

The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission that McGowan heads is pushing to bring more international travelers to the region. He said the average domestic traveler spends around $224 per person per day staying on Long Island, but the average international tourist spends three times the amount.

McGowan said Canada represents tremendous potential. Most Canadian travelers drive to New York, bypassing both the Hudson Valley and Long Island, he said.

"If [Airport Commissioner] Teresa Rizzuto is able to land a Canadian carrier -- and I understand there has been real strong interest -- then we'll help do the marketing that's necessary," he said in an interview.

Rizzuto recently attended a conference, speaking with eight airlines in a further bid to woo more commercial flights -- including international carriers -- to MacArthur.

Air Canada flies into LaGuardia from three Canadian cities, all "pre-cleared" for customs -- meaning tourists clear customs in Canada and travel within the United States as domestic tourists.

Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan told the meeting MacArthur should dominate air-travel plans for residents "from Montauk to Meadowbrook Parkway." He said the recession meant "we're battling the era of the staycation."