By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Re-branding the Buffalo-Niagara region as a travel destination rich in culture and history is the theme of the 2006 Visitors Guide.
No longer is the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau promoting nearby Niagara Falls as the biggest attraction for tourists. Instead, CVB President Richard Geiger says they are showcasing Buffalo's rich architecture and heritage.
"We are saying come to Buffalo. We have a community that is rich in culture, art, history, great restaurants and a lot of things to do with the family and it's just 20 minutes away from this world attraction, which is Niagara Falls," Geiger said.
The CVB publishes the annual visitors guide that maps out some of the best places to eat, sleep and visit. The cover of the 2006 guide is titled "American Masters -- American Treasures." The cover features an original rendering by a local artist of Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House.
"As you read through the 72-page vistors guide, it really carries the theme and flavor of art history and architecture, and the natural beauty throughout the promotional piece."
Geiger says tourism numbers are growing in Buffalo and Erie County. He says last year, overall hotel revenues were up by almost eight percent from 2004. He says that is a very good sign.
"Hotel rates were up, and those are good indicators that more visitors are coming here and spending more money," Geiger said. "We sold about two million hotel rooms last year. That equates to roughly three- to three-and-a-half million people who visited Erie County and stayed in our hotels last year."
Reasons for visiting Buffalo range from conventions and business meetings, amateur and professional sporting events to visiting family and friends.
The CVB says it receives 60,000 to 70,000 inquires a year from potential tourists. The guide is sent to entice them to make Buffalo Niagara their bi-national destination.