NIAGARA FALLS — The organization responsible for encouraging the growth and renewal of the tourism industry in the city wants to know more about who comes here, what they do while they are here, and how much money they spend.

USA Niagara Development Corp., the local subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corp., is seeking proposals from a consultant who would “update, analyze and refine” the estimates of how many tourists visit Niagara Falls each year.

The consultant also would develop estimates of the characteristics of the tourists and their spending patterns.

Findings and recommendations would “be an important element in attracting future investment,” said Christopher J. Schoepflin, president of USA Niagara. He said the work would “provide us with valuable insight to provide to prospective developers and new businesses, as well as to lending institutions.”

The study also would include “an overall assessment of the competitiveness of the City of Niagara Falls, N. Y., to attract new development” and “specific assessment of the real estate market in Niagara Falls,” according to a request for proposals being circulated by the development corporation.

Proposals are to be submitted to USA Niagara by April 30, and a preproposal conference call for prospective consultants will be held at 10 a. m. Monday.

To participate in the call, consultants should call Jocelyn Viola by Friday at USA Niagara, 284-2556.

USA Niagara is cooperating with the Niagara Falls city government in seeking “proposals from economic and strategic planning consultant firms or teams to undertake an overall economic and real estate market analysis for various components of tourism and cross-border markets in Niagara Falls.”