Federally Funded Campaign to Improve Niagara’s Tourism Industry

Tourists with an appetite for endless adventures will soon learn that Niagara Falls is a do-not-miss travel destination for people around the globe. The promotional campaign will be funded by the federal government. According to U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the federally funded Brand USA group will promote Niagara and the surrounding Niagara Falls tourist attractions as an international travel destination. The focus of Brand USA, which was established in 2009, is to increase the number of international visitors to the United States. This will increase export growth and create jobs in the region.  Niagara Falls will be featured as a “Trip Idea” on the New York state page of its Discover America website.

Niagara County is a family friendly travel destination with iconic natural and cultural attractions that offers an unbeatable vacation experience for the entire family. People from all backgrounds can enjoy Niagara. Some of the most popular Niagara Falls tours include the 150 year old Maid of the Mist attraction which takes visitors on an excursion into the basin of Niagara Falls State Park’s Horseshoe Falls. The Maid of the Mist brings guests back to shore with newfound appreciation of the grandeur and power of Niagara Falls.  Maid of the Mist tickets can be purchased separately, or as part of the Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass package.

The promotional campaign is a win-win situation for both Brand USA and the Niagara region in which the non-profit group diversifies its marketing portfolio and the Niagara Falls region benefits from increased visitors and attention. According to Gillibrand’s office, Niagara Falls ranks in the top 20 destinations for international travelers, who potentially could bring in millions of dollars to the area. Last year, visitors brought nearly $491 million to Niagara County. That same year the natural landmark made international news with the Nik Wallenda Niagara Falls tightrope walk attraction. Wallenda became the first person to walk across Niagara Falls on a high wire.

Any additional promotional support is great news for Niagara, says Mayor Paul Dyster, but it can only be done with a higher budget than what they had available. According to John Percy, president and CEO of the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corps., this promotional campaign will boost the local tourism industry, making it more of an economic driver for the region. Percy also added that with this initiative Niagara’s global visibility will increase and attract additional international visitors, providing more hotel and restaurant guests as well as other business for the area’s stakeholders.