DISCOVER LONG ISLAND PARTNERS WITH NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTY IDAS TO LAUNCH NEW MOBILE DOWNTOWN DEALS TRAVEL PASS
New Innovative Mobile Passport Designed to Boost Regional Recovery Efforts and Provide Economic Stimulus for Small Businesses and Attractions Across Long Island
LONG ISLAND, NY (August 13, 2020) – Discover Long Island has teamed up with both Nassau and Suffolk County IDAs (Industrial Development Agencies) to launch a new free mobile Downtown Deals Travel Pass. The new innovative mobile pass is designed to boost recovery efforts across the region, providing economic stimulus through incentivized marketing efforts for small businesses, restaurants, and attractions.
The passport is a free program that all locals and visitors can sign up for launching first in Farmingdale, Great Neck, Rockville Centre, Greenport, Huntington and Patchogue. With over 100 local businesses expected to be included within the passport, it will showcase the best of these Long Island downtowns in an easy, mobile-friendly way.
“The $6.1 billion hospitality industry has been the hardest hit industry in our region as a result of COVID-19 and the small businesses in our downtowns need immediate assistance to drive economic recovery,” said Kristen Jarnagin, President & CEO of Discover Long Island. “We are grateful to Nassau and Suffolk County IDAs for their partnership in supporting this new mobile Downtown Deals Travel Pass and we encourage our residents and visitors to utilize this digitized platform to explore the endless hidden gems in the vibrant downtowns that are the fabric of our community.”
Participants are able sign-up for a Downtown Deals Travel Pass at www.discoverlongisland.com/deals. A link is then sent to their mobile phone, which opens the passport and directs the user to add the button icon to their home screen, where they can access it any time. There is never anything to download and no bulky apps take up space on a user’s phone. Once the user is ready to redeem their pass, they simply hand their phone over at the ticketing or checkout counter to access their deal.
“Embracing and growing Nassau’s vibrant, walkable downtown communities near transit and housing has been a priority of my administration since day one,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “Following our COVID-19 frontline response, my priority focused on boosting the recovery of our small businesses and revival of these once bustling, beloved Main Street communities – the heartbeat of our local economy. I want to encourage businesses and residents to sign up for the new free Downtown Deals Travel Pass and explore downtown districts throughout Long Island. Not only will you find fantastic ways to enjoy a staycation but you will be supporting the businesses that employ so many of our neighbors, family, and friends.”
“Our businesses, restaurants and attractions have been left reeling from the effects of COVID-19 and it is vital that we safely welcome and incentivize guests to come back to our now re-open downtowns in order to stimulate recovery efforts across the region,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Long Island’s vibrant downtowns are cherished among our communities and coveted by visitors and this new Downtown Deals Travel Pass provides a new tool to identify the businesses that make them so unique and encourage guest to visit.”
“This new digital incentive is another important tool made available to the public to help our local businesses recover from the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tony Catapano, Executive Director of the Suffolk County IDA. “We are pleased to be playing a supportive role in the initiative and look forward to the program's success spreading throughout the downtowns of communities across Long Island.”
“The small businesses that make up our charming downtowns are the lifeblood of our communities and a top priority during these unprecedented times,” said Richard Kessel, Chairman of the Nassau County IDA. “We are excited to collaborate with Discover Long Island to launch this new Downtown Deals Travel Pass that will provide an economic boost to our local businesses.”
To sign-up for the Downtown Deals Travel Pass and view a listing of businesses and deals currently available, please visit DiscoverLongIsland.com/Deals. If you interested in learning more about the program, please contact tourism@discoverlongisland.com.
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ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND:
Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and management organization charged with furthering the $6.1 billion tourism economy. The organization contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting the region as a world-class destination for visitors, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events and related activities. For more information, please call 631-951-3900 or visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.
ABOUT THE IDAS:
The mission of the region’s Industrial Development Agencies (IDA) is to promote economic development by helping businesses expand and grow, increase employment opportunities, and add to the quality of life for Long Island residents. IDAs are the lead agencies attracting new investment into Long Island and driving the region’s innovation economy and job expansion. They are funding by client fees, not taxpayer dollars.
