TONAWANDA, N.Y. — The Twin Cities just took an important step in bringing more tourism to the area.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas hosted a grand opening of the area's new satellite visitors center at Gateway Harbor Park Saturday.

It's part of a partnership between Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.

The new center will be open during the summer, and will help visitors understand what the area has to offer.

It comes at a time when pandemic restrictions are lifting, and city officials are expecting renewed interest in the region.

"I expect this summer to be huge," said city of Tonawanda Mayor Rick Davis. "Everybody is pent up, everybody wants to get out. Hopefully people have money to spend and they decide to come to the Twin Cities to spend it and have a good time."

"We have something to say about tourism, something to say about businesses associated with the Tonawandas and the importance behind them," said Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas President Robert Pecoraro. "So that's why it's important for us to open up a visitor’s center to inform people of what we can provide."

The Chamber of Commerce is also opening a year-round visitor’s center, located at their offices in North Tonawanda.