Susan Campriello writes in The Daily Mail tourism spending in Greene and Columbia counties is up. Visitors to Greene County spent $143 million in 2011. During same period, tourists in Columbia County spent close to $108 million. Statewide visitor spending totaled nearly $54 billion in 2011, an increase of more than 8 percent over the previous year, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office. Tourism spending includes lodging, fuel, retail and convenience store purchases. The most significant contribution to the tourist economy in Greene County are the annual festivals and events. In Columbia County, a significant amount of revenue comes from the bed and breakfast and food industries, as well as the growing wedding industry. Both counties rely heavily on tourism for employment. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.