Recently the United States Dept. of Commerce identified the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area as a Top 20 destination for international travelers beyond our Canadian and Mexican neighbors. Along that line of contact the Almanac of Higher Education lists the University at Buffalo in its Top 20 of American Colleges and Universities with the greatest number of non-USA students. The university is #17 with 5,185 students enrolled in its programs. Of New York State institutions of higher education it ranks only behind #3 New York University and #5 Columbia University.

Other New York State schools among the complete Top 120 list includes: #35 The University At Stony Brook, #39 Syracuse University, #47 Rochester Institute of Technology, #49 New York Institute of Technology at Old Westbury, and #66 City College of New York.

In addition to building on our current international #20 ranking Buffalo Niagara Enterprise ought to be looking at the large and growing number of students as a marketing opportunity for further growth.  These young men and women certainly have families, friends, and contacts at home that might be interested in visiting the Niagara Frontier.  Put together some low-cost prices and transportation plans  to entice them to visit local attractions and events.