What do Audubon magazine, National Geographic and The New York Times travel section have in common?
They all have big national audiences and they're all writing about the tourism value of Sullivan County's natural resources and beauty.
Audubon recently published an advertorial — that's advertising published to look like a story, for those who aren't down with magazine lingo — about the Bashakill and local eagles.
A reporter from National Geographic was here last week touring the Town of Bethel and Route 97, along that scenic byway in the Town of Neversink.
Herb Clark, from the Sullivan County Visitors Association, said National Geographic intends to publish a travel piece about the Catskills and Hudson Valley this fall.
And a New York Times travel writer planned to use fly fishing in Roscoe and Livingston Manor as his gateway into a story about the Catskill Park. Clark expect that story to appear within the next few weeks.
The visitors association is thrilled with the attention or, as they call it, "free advertising." Visitors Association President Roberta Lockwood thinks it will boost tourism here, despite gas prices that might scare some travelers.
"There's still that nostalgic, majestic interest in the Catskills," Lockwood said. "I think people will come here, even with the gas prices being high. If you think of it, we're only a tank of gas away."