Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A new record for visitor spending in Erie County was set last year, but officials say they're not expecting a repeat.
Traveler spending in Erie County hit $2.7 billion in 2024, according to the latest economic impact study, going above the previous record set in 2023. It represents a 7.2% increase in spending by visitors.
Tourism officials say that has led to a bump in people employed in tourism-related jobs.
But how long can the good times last?
"If I had to pull out my crystal ball, I would definitely say we will see a decline in 2025," said President of Visit Buffalo Niagara, Patrick Kaler. "We're still not sure where we'll go, but I can say year to date our overall hotel occupancy is only down 2.6%. Anecdotally, speaking to our attractions, retail, and some of the restaurants, what they are seeing are [fewer] of those day trips."
Kaler says that's a direct result of fewer Canadians crossing the border this year.
"Year to date, we are down 15% on our overall cross-border tourism," he noted.
That doesn't mean all tourism will suffer, though. Kaler pointed to strong growth in leisure travel from New York City, as well as other key markets such as Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., as ways Buffalo is continuing its momentum with travelers.
The study, published this month, was commissioned by New York State Empire State Development and conducted by the Oxford Economics Company, Tourism Economics.
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