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Central New York leaders want to continue to increase tourism

Destiny USA
Destiny USA is one of the destinations attracting tourists to central New York

Tourism is growing in central New York, up 17 percent in the last five years, according to industry officials. And at a tourism roundtable in Syracuse Wednesday they agreed there are still more ways to boost tourism dollars.  

Travel spending in the five counties of central New York amounts to nearly $1.2 billion, employing 25,000 people. So it’s a huge industry already, according to David Holder of the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"Our travel spending numbers are extremely high compared to other places. And one of the reasons for that is the variety of what people find when they get here,” said Holder.

But experts agree there is room for more growth. Howard Dolgon, owner of the minor league hockey team the Syracuse Crunch, thinks big events are a good way to brand the area for tourists.

“You’ve got great sports, you’ve got the university, so you’ve got so many positives, but you’ve got to highlight them. So the best way to highlight them, is to take the big events, and put them out there, so it’s not just a local and regional place it becomes a national and international place,” said Dolgon.

The other strategy to boost tourism is to get international visitors. David Aitken of Destiny USA says Canadian visitors already make up 20 percent of the mall’s sales.

“Number one, we’re targeting Canada, quite heavily. It’s quite accessible; it’s relatively easy to cross the border.  It’s always better when it’s easier,” said Aitken.

Looking ahead, Holder expects to new strategic plan will be developed that’ll help bring even more visitors to central New York.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.