Ulster County's Popularity With Visitors and What It Means for Vacation Homeowners

Ulster County has a lot going for it as a place to stay: the Catskills and the Shawangunk Ridge, river towns like Saugerties, Woodstock's arts scene, farms, orchards and a short drive from several large cities. Visitor numbers reflect that. But a busy county is not the same as a busy calendar for any particular home, so this post separates what the numbers say from what they leave out.

What the visitor numbers show

According to Tourism Economics figures commissioned by Empire State Development and I LOVE NEW YORK, visitors spent about $1.24 billion at Ulster County businesses in 2025. Of that, about $702 million was lodging and about $254 million was food and beverage. The same data credits visitor spending with $63.9 million in county tax revenue. The figures are published on the New York State Tourism Industry Association's Ulster County page.

Two cautions. First, lodging here means all lodging, including hotels, inns, campgrounds and short-term rentals. The figure does not tell you how much goes to Airbnb-style homes, and it does not show that short-term rentals caused the growth. Second, a county total says nothing about your road, your season or your sleeping capacity. It shows that people come and spend money. It does not predict your bookings.

Why demand varies by town

Ulster County is large and varied. Haus manages homes in Saugerties, Woodstock, Kerhonkson and Napanoch, and each has a different guest and a different year. A home near Woodstock's shops and music venues attracts a different trip than one near the Shawangunk Ridge trails or in a quiet hamlet. Season matters too: a home within reach of skiing and a home with a pool will each be strongest in different months.

When you size up your own home, look at comparable homes in the same town, not at the county average. Our guide to what your home could earn explains how to choose those comparisons.

Competition and standing out

Visitor spending tells you demand exists. It also invites other owners, so the question for your home is what makes it a good choice for a guest comparing several. The answers are usually plain: honest photos, accurate descriptions, comfortable beds, a clean home, a quick reply to questions, and a rate that moves with the calendar. At Haus, PriceLabs moves rates daily within a range Justin sets, and Justin reviews weekly. Guest reviews average 4.9 across 143 reviews on our managed homes. The checklist for a successful Hudson Valley Airbnb goes through the features and the questions to ask.

The rules come first

Each town in Ulster County sets its own rules. Some require an owner to apply for a permit, some require inspections, some cap permits or limit rentals to owner-occupied homes, and a few have no dedicated law at all. The county also charges a lodging tax and requires registration and quarterly returns. Read our guide to Ulster County rules by town and our occupancy tax guide, and confirm with your town's code office. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

What it means for you

If your home is in Ulster County, the visitor numbers are a reason to look at renting it, not a forecast of what it will earn. Start with the rules for your address, then build a conservative estimate from comparable homes and your own availability, then compare it with what the home does for you today. Our Ulster County management page describes how we work in the county, and the fees page shows what management costs. Haus asks that the home be available for rental at least 180 nights a year.

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