Destiny USA Ends 2019 With a Double Digit Increase in Motor Coach Visitation
Group tour motor coach visitation jumps nearly 11% over 2018’s results
Syracuse, NY (January 27, 2020) – Destiny USA, New York State’s largest shopping, dining and entertainment destination visited by 26 million guests annually, ended the year with a double-digit gain in group travel visitation. Boasting nearly an 11 percent increase in motor coach arrivals over the prior year, the travel destination continues to draw tourists from all over the world. Passenger counts also increased more than five percent over 2018’s numbers. International guests continued to visit, arriving from two dozen countries, and spanning five continents, to enjoy Destiny USA. Once again, there was an influx of domestic travelers representing all 50 states, plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The property played host to travelers from 26 countries throughout 2019, with many taking advantage of the convenience of overnighting at Embassy Suites, Destiny USA’s on-site hotel. Countries included: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Finland, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Tobago, Trinidad, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.
Since 2012, when Carousel Center was rebranded as Destiny USA, significant resources were directed to promote the property as a tourist destination. Destiny USA’s continuous presence at trade shows has created more awareness of the expanded product. Results continue to be very positive, bringing an abundance of additional dollars into the Central New York area in the form of sales tax, hotel room tax, and more. Representatives of Destiny USA attended numerous trade shows, sales missions, summits and conferences (some in conjunction with Visit Syracuse and the Shop America Alliance) throughout 2019. These trade/travel shows strengthen relationships with established colleagues (including Mall of America and others listed among the top ten retail centers in the US), as well as introduce the tourism product and area to new operators to encourage future visitation from both emerging and developed markets.
“Our investment in tourism outreach has once again delivered impressive results” said Rose Hapanowich, Director of Travel and Tourism. “Destiny USA has established itself as an important ingredient in an upstate New York itinerary as well as a recognized travel destination in its own right. The affordability of the Central New York area, along with its centralized and easily accessible location have made Destiny USA and Syracuse, NY attractive to leisure travelers and tour operators.”
Destiny USA added 22 new tenants to the property throughout 2019, diversifying its offerings to attract new visitors, while keeping it fresh for returning guests. The addition of an on-site hotel Embassy Suites by Hilton at Destiny USA in late 2017, which offers exclusive deals at Destiny USA for overnight guests along with package delivery service to the hotel, has been very well received. Since opening, the hotel has hosted guests from all 50 states and several countries. In addition to attracting group travelers, families and business professionals, Embassy Suites also serves as the official hotel of Syracuse University Athletics and the Syracuse Mets.
“Our group travel guests appreciate the convenience of upstate New York’s best shopping, dining and entertainment at Destiny USA being just steps away from the hotel,” stated Josh Morey, General Manager of Embassy Suites. “They definitely take advantage of the savings benefit presented by the Destiny USA Stay & Save Pass they receive upon check-in and enjoy the freedom from the burden of carrying multiple packages from the Shop & Drop purchase delivery service.”
“Congratulations to Destiny USA on the incredible achievements in this segment,” said Visit Syracuse President & CEO Danny Liedka. “Destiny USA is a top driver of our local tourism economy. To see double digit growth in 2019 is a testament to the diversity of its products, and its ability to showcase them to consumers. Destiny USA’s marketing efforts have set the bar for other destinations.”