During IPW 2026 held in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ABC Mundial spoke with Courtney Guiry, Director of Public Relations and Communications for Discover Long Island, who highlighted the growth and positioning of Long Island as one of the most complete and accessible destinations for travelers visiting New York State.

“Long Island is a wonderful place. Many people come to New York and don’t even realize Long Island is here,” Guiry explained during the interview with ABC Mundial at the leading international inbound tourism event in the United States.

The executive emphasized that the destination offers more than 120 miles of attractions combining beaches, seafood cuisine, small towns, boutique hotels, culture, history, and luxury experiences such as the renowned Hamptons area.

“We have a little bit of everything: seafood, beaches, the Hamptons, small downtowns with family-owned restaurants, and boutique hotels,” she said.

One of the key highlights promoted by Discover Long Island during IPW was the Long Island Wine Country region, home to more than 60 vineyards and wineries surrounded by rural landscapes and farmland, making it an increasingly attractive experience for international travelers.

Guiry also highlighted the appeal of Fire Island, a car-free destination where visitors can explore beaches and natural areas entirely on foot in a peaceful and relaxed environment.

“Fire Island is a car-free destination. Everything is walkable, and there’s really no wrong way to experience it,” she stated.

Connectivity was another major point emphasized by the Discover Long Island representative. The entire destination is linked through the Long Island Rail Road, allowing travelers to easily move from Manhattan and New York City to different parts of the island in approximately two hours.

“Many travelers first arrive in New York City and then take the train to explore Long Island easily,” she explained.

Discover Long Island also highlighted the versatility of the destination, which is ideal for solo travelers, families, groups of friends, and romantic getaways alike.

Regarding the best times to visit, Guiry noted that summer remains the most popular season because of the beaches and outdoor activities, although she especially recommended autumn for its scenery, festivals, and rural experiences.

“Fall is my favorite season because the leaves change colors, and visitors can enjoy activities like apple picking, pumpkin harvesting, and vineyard festivals,” she commented.

The tourism representative also indicated that Long Island is benefiting from the impact of the FIFA World Cup, as many visitors are choosing to stay there to avoid Manhattan’s high hotel costs and crowds while taking advantage of the easy rail transportation into New York City.

Finally, Discover Long Island recommended stays of three to five days to fully enjoy the diversity of experiences the destination has to offer.

The presence of Discover Long Island at IPW 2026 reaffirms the destination’s interest in strengthening its international positioning and attracting new Latin American travelers seeking to combine nature, luxury, gastronomy, and proximity to New York City.