When the border between the U.S. and Canada closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, upstate communities along the border had to deal with a big loss of revenue from Canadian travelers.

On this episode of In Focus, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara Patrick Kaler speaks with JoDee Kenney about the shutdown and the lingering effects it’s had. Niagara Falls is a big vacation destination, but pre-pandemic, the area saw a lot of routine traffic too — people coming over to go shopping at the outlets, to see a Bills game, to get dinner, or just to see different sites in Buffalo. That’s all decreased dramatically, but Kaler says Visit Buffalo Niagara has been implementing a digital campaign to try and encourage more people back to the area — not just from Canada, but domestic travelers as well. Kaler also discusses the efforts of local politicians to get the remaining COVID-related restrictions on travel removed, saying a return to the ease of pre-pandemic travel will make a big difference for the region. 

You can watch the full interview with president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara Patrick Kaler in the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.