BUFFALO, NY — The Western New York Tourism Board has officially embraced its region's burgeoning reputation as a cinematic hotbed for horror, announcing a new initiative to market the area as 'America's Premier Destination for Existential Dread and Discounted Applebee's.' The move comes after local media highlighted numerous horror films shot in the region, prompting a strategic pivot from promoting Niagara Falls to emphasizing the area's 'unsettling ambiance.'

“For too long, we’ve tried to compete with sunny beaches and historical landmarks,” stated Brenda P. Albright, Director of Regional Despair and Visitor Engagement. “But what we truly excel at is a pervasive, low-grade sense of unease. Our grey skies, our perpetually half-finished construction projects, the way the wind just *howls* off Lake Erie – it’s all prime terror real estate. We’re not just a place where horror movies are filmed; we’re a place where horror movies feel *right at home*.”

The campaign, titled 'Come For The Scares, Stay Because Your Car Broke Down,' will feature guided tours of abandoned industrial sites, 'haunted' diner experiences where the coffee is always lukewarm, and interactive exhibits showcasing the region's most chilling tax codes. Local businesses are encouraged to offer 'blood-curdling' discounts and 'scream-worthy' specials.

“We’re talking about a multi-million dollar industry here,” added Albright, gesturing vaguely towards a flickering fluorescent light. “Why fight it? People want to be scared. And frankly, after experiencing a WNY winter, a slasher flick feels like a vacation.”

Future plans include a 'Terror Trail' connecting various film locations, culminating in a gift shop selling miniature snow globes filled with what appears to be actual lake water.