Western New York tourism businesses optimistic for spring, summer time

“We have so many things for people in our area to experience in a healthy and safe way,” said Patrick Kaler of Visit Buffalo Niagara.

BUFFALO, NY – After a dismal year for international tourism, and right here in West New York, the Centers’ updated guidelines for Disease Control and Prevention were well received by local tourism officials.

When someone is fully vaccinated, the CDC now claims they are allowed to travel.

According to the newly published guidelines, people who are fully vaccinated do not need to be tested before or after domestic travel. You don’t need to be quarantined after the trip either.

The CDC also emphasizes that regardless of vaccination status, people should wear a mask on all public transport.

You can read the full CDC Travel Policy Here.

“The CDC guidelines are essential when people are making decisions about travel … that freedom and thumbs up that you can travel when you are vaccinated was really a very, very positive sign,” said John Percy, President and CEO from Destination Niagara USA.

Patrick Kaler, the President and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, told 2 on Your Side: “We are still very cautious about the surge in COVID cases but with the vaccine where people continue to wear masks this is a social distancing. ” Very encouraging to the travel industry for people to see the opportunity to get around more freely. ”

According to the latest status Longwoods International Tracking Study 87 percent of American travelers now have travel plans for the next six months. This is the highest level since the beginning of March 2020.

“If consumer perception changes positively, we have a very good outlook for spring and summer and even for fall,” said Percy.

Given that some people still don’t fly, both Destination Niagara USA and Visit Buffalo are marketing Niagara more to those within driving distance.

One major obstacle, however, remains: limited travel across the border. In a normal year, our neighbors in Canada have a huge impact on western New York’s economy. Percy told 2 on Your Side in 2019 that Canadians spent $ 59 million in Niagara County on Visa cards alone.

Travel officials said they are confident the border will reopen fully sometime this summer.

Kaler stated that leisure travel is expected to return to 2019 levels by 2022. He said it was a slow process, but all indications are that this region is on the right track, if not a few steps ahead.

“I think we have so many things that people in our region can experience in a healthy and safe way,” Kaler said.

Percy told 2 on Your Side, “I was expecting a 60 percent return to the 2019 numbers, but now with vaccinations and those other glimmers of hope, I think we are increasing that forecast for this year to 70 percent of the 2019 numbers can.”

For more information on Visit Buffalo Niagara, visit Here.

For more information on Destination Niagara USA, visit Here.