SYRACUSE, N.Y. — New York State on Wednesday opened the Central New York Welcome Center inside Destiny USA.
The welcome center features regionally specific elements, including a Wall of Fame recognizing famous Central New Yorkers and a Central New York “virtual-reality experience,” the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in a news release.
Visit Syracuse, the region’s tourism-promotion agency, will operate retail space in the center. The retail space features a Taste NY market with “locally-made” food and gifts. They include artisanal jams, “gourmet” hot-chocolate mix, flavored culinary salts, truffles, maple fudge, hand-crafted candles, all-natural soaps, and cutting boards made from New York wood.
The shop will also sell I Love New York shirts, magnets and travel mugs, Cuomo’s office said.
The center is one of 11 planned for operation throughout the state. It “advances the governor’s commitment to continue growing the state’s tourism industry by promoting local attractions, food and beverage producers, and the region’s agritourism destinations,” his office said.
Funding for the regional welcome centers was approved as part of the 2018 New York state budget.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com