Published: May 12, 2008 10:37 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Teaming up for tourism

Advisory board updated on future projects, goals

With a bird’s eye view of the roaring falls, members of the Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board met with a top state park official Monday to discuss future projects and partnerships.

“I truly believe the state of New York understands we can’t just have a situation where tourists come to the park ... and then go directly back to their rooms,” Tourism Board Chairman Jerry Genova said. “We need them to come into our city and into our businesses.”

That point was echoed by state parks District Director Mark Thomas, who was the guest speaker at Monday’s meeting inside the Top of the Falls Restaurant on Goat Island. To help make that happen, a series of priorities have been established, ranging from capital improvement projects to customer service training, said Thomas, who became director in April 2007 and oversees 36 state parks in 10 counties from here to Rochester.

“We really believe we are a key component to the tourism picture,” he said. “We will continue trying to bring resources to get these parks up to the level they need to be. This is the magnet. If we’re not drawing in, it’s going to hurt all of you.”

Genova and other members of the tourism board have criticized state officials in the past for an apparent lack of interest in how the local parks effect city businesses. However, that cooperation has improved under Thomas’ watch, Genova said.

“You can tell he has a commitment to this district and he’s very positive about what will happen,” Genova said. “It’s going to be a great partnership with him.”

During a brief introduction, Thomas explained that Parks Commissioner Carol Ash has set specific priorities for each district. At the top of that list is lobbying for state funding for needed capital improvements — a process that was answered with $600 million earmarked for parks in the recently passed state budget. Of that funding, about $100 million will go to Thomas’ district, including $25 million to replace the bridges on Goat Island.

Thomas said he hopes future projects will include landscaping and other aesthetic upgrades.

Another top priority is to offer an extensive training program for all state park employees so they can provide quality service to visitors. Local businessman Ron Anderluh asked Thomas if that training could be extended to employees of downtown businesses.

“A lot of people are not educated on how to treat a tourist,” Anderluh said.

While improving services is an ongoing process, Thomas pointed out attendance is up at local state parks. Also, sales for the Niagara USA Discovery Pass, which allows tourists to experience numerous park and city attractions, increased 42 percent from the previous year. The Aquarium of Niagara, one of the included attractions, has seen its highest annual attendance since the mid-1970s, said Executive Director Gay Molnar.

Following his speech, Thomas fielded questions on a variety of issues from tourism board members. The hot topic was the debate over the removal of the Robert Moses Parkway.

Regarding changing the north portion of the Moses from John B. Daly Boulevard to the state park, Thomas said the process was delayed because the original considerations did not factor in the parkway runs through the park property. He pointed out the state park system, City of Niagara Falls, state Department of Transportation and Empire State Development are all working together to come up with a design concept that could be funded and not disrupt historic preservation issues connected with the area.

“It has taken a little longer than expected, but we needed to make changes so we don’t hit a wall down the road,” Thomas said. “It will be done right, when it’s done.”

Also at Monday’s meeting, Tourism Board members received copies of a new nature tourism guide designed by Eco-Tourism Committee Chairwoman Lisa Vitello. The six-panel brochure details several city attractions tying into nature, including the state parks, Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, LaSalle Waterfront Park and the Aquarium of Niagara.

The brochures will be available this summer at downtown hotels and other information centers.