Magnarelli: Tourism Study Results
Eye-Opening for Economic Development

Tourism has always been a vital part of the Central New York economy. To help our area attractions reach their full potential, I recently teamed up with the Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau to conduct the "Visitor Intercept Study." The study will assist us in creating an improved marketing campaign and keep out-of-town guests coming back to Central New York for years to come.

The study was conducted last July, August and October; it surveyed all types of travelers - business, leisure and convention - to learn how they spend their money during their stay. The feedback we received revealed some eye-opening results that we intend to use as tools to bring more visitors - and ultimately more dollars - to our area.

Surveyed travelers said that the Internet is the most commonly used tool in planning trips and with Syracuse's unique shopping districts, it may come as no surprise that shopping is the number one way visitors spend their time with us. However, the study indicates that we must do more to improve our family-friendly destinations, as nearly three out of four leisure trips are for adults only. Travelers also pointed out that there is a need for more visitor information and better signage to better promote what the area has to offer.

The Syracuse area boasts world-class restaurants, one-of-a-kind museums and cultural attractions like the Redhouse Arts Center. These are only a few of the features that make Syracuse a destination city with the ability to attract visitors and keep them coming back.

We plan to take the information from the study and use it to build a strong tourism future for our area. A three-tiered destination marketing campaign is already in place. The campaign will target a certain audience and specific geographic locations.

I helped provide the funding for this essential study because tourism is an integral part of Central New York's economy. Thanks to the "Visitor Intercept Survey," we now know the tourism challenges our area is facing and we are equipped to provide the best experience for our out-of-town guests.