Tourism industry calls Bills’ playoff run ‘a win-win’ as out-of-town fans visit Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Bills’ playoff run is scoring major points for the local tourism industry as thousands of football fans travel to Western New York this weekend to attend the Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens playoff game.

Karen Fashana, the vice president of marketing at Visit Buffalo Niagara, said the game has a significant economic impact on the area.

Visit Buffalo Niagara looked at data over the last three playoff runs and found that during a Bills’ home playoff game, hotels had a 45 percent boost in occupancy.

“Bills home games have always been money-making weekends for any tourism related business,” Fashana said. “You figured you have a lot of out of town visitors coming. They’re staying in hotels, they’re eating in restaurants, they’re grabbing beers at the local breweries and such. It’s really been a win-win for our industry economically.”

Bills fans Ian Francis and Will West stopped by Niagara Falls State Park to soak in all of the excitement ahead of Sunday’s game.

“You got to take in the scenes, you know?” West said.

“It’s one of the wonders of the world, got to see it before we see a wonder on the field,” Francis said.

The two traveled to Western New York from Atlanta, Georgia, to attend their first ever Bills’ game.

“I can’t wait to see the Bills Mafia in action,” Francis said. “I go to Buffalo bars back in Georgia but I can’t wait for the real experience.”

Adrienne and Gary Noel traveled from Ohio to go to the playoff game. They also stopped by Niagara Falls during their weekend trip to the area.

“We booked a hotel for three days because we weren’t sure what day the game was going to be,” Gary said. “Figured we’d make the short trip and see it from our side of the U.S.”

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Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.

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