SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Motor-coach arrivals at Destiny USA increased 46 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year, the “largest increase ever.”
The shopping, dining, and entertainment complex described the data as “large gains once again” in group-travel visitation, according to a news release Destiny USA issued Wednesday.
The buses had an increase of 60 percent in ridership compared to 2016’s final results. International guests “visited in droves” from 29 countries with an “influx” of domestic travelers from all 50 states, Destiny USA boasted.
Destiny USA said it is “visited by 26 million guests annually.”
In all, the venue hosted travelers from 28 additional countries beyond the U.S. and Canada throughout 2017. Other nations included Australia, China, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, Norway, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey.
Since the rebranding of Destiny USA in 2012, the mall says it has invested “significant resources” in both domestic and international trade-show outreach to “create awareness of the product.”
“Our marketing efforts throughout the world have produced a great return on investment” Rose Hapanowich, director of travel and tourism, said in the Destiny USA news release. “Our appeal as a significant international travel destination continues to be recognized and is growing.”
Destiny USA also introduced a new Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel and an I Love New York Central New York Welcome Center this past year to help enhance tourist visitation.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com