The Murphys have owned and operated one of the most successful and well-recognized tourist attractions in all of Niagara County for more than 30 years.
LOCKPORT, NY, October 28, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Michael K. Murphy has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
A respected leader in the field of hospitality, Mr. Murphy has owned and operated one of the most successful and well-recognized tourist attractions in all of Niagara County for more than 30 years. Drawing in thousands of tourists from around the country each year, he offers relaxing two-hour cruises aboard his 19th-century boat as the captain and co-owner of Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Inc. in Lockport, New York.
Originally established in 1987 by Mr. Murphy and his wife of 60 years, Sharon, Lockport Canal Tours began with just two pontoon boats and five employees. Presently, Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Inc. have three vessels and approximately 35 employees. Over the years, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy's expansion included the acquisition of two additional properties, which include an 1800s building that now serves as a large banquet room and meeting room that can accommodate up to 200 guests. There is also a large outdoor picnic area adjacent to the building, which can hold another 300 guests. Regularly hosting private parties both on the boat and on land, they frequently cater to weddings and other large gatherings, as well as a variety of reception packages that meet the needs of their customers.
Apart from serving as captain, Mr. Murphy is responsible for the overall maintenance of the boat, the building and the land. He also oversees sales and marketing, employee management and customer relations. Meanwhile, Mr. Murphy's wife oversees the finances and all computer-related aspects of the business. Notably, one of their sons and their eldest grandson also work for the family business. It is Mr. and Mrs. Murphy's expectation that they will eventually be responsible for keeping Lockport Locks alive after they eventually retire.
In addition to playing an integral role in generating income for the town of Lockport, Mr. Murphy has been active with several local civic and nonprofit organizations. Namely, he sat on the board of directors of the Canal Society of New York State. He also served in the same capacity on behalf of the Niagara Falls Convention Center, which is located in downtown Niagara Falls.
Graduating from high school in 1963, Mr. Murphy subsequently became a police officer in Tonawanda, New York, in 1969. He spent more than 21 years on the force before retiring in 1989. As a part of his professional commitments, Mr. Murphy is a past president of the New York State Tour Boat Association.
Mr. Murphy draws a sense of accomplishment from being recognized by his local chamber of commerce as a multiple-time Business of the Year awardee. His company was also featured on an episode of the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" and has been ranked by TripAdvisor among the Top 10% of Companies Across the Globe for Customer Satisfaction.
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