Daily Archive for May 8th, 2007

Take a hint from falls: Casinos can crowd Nature

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

The falls still work. Immense volumes of water tumbling over one of nature’s best-located edges make a grand sight and sound, plus clean electric power galore. But the forces of development are great, too. And fickle. They build, transform and move on. And how much improvement occurs — well, you’re entitled to your opinion.

It’s a good thing the Canadians of a century ago reserved a few acres of public park next to the falls. Or you can be sure that hotels, eateries and now gambling dens would crowd to the rim. Americans correctly saved a similar patch of green on the New York side.

Maids of the Mist ready for season

From the Buffalo News:

It took about three weeks for this year’s winter ice to plummet over Niagara Falls and float away, but the river was clear enough Thursday morning for Maid of the Mist V to take its first dip of the season.

The 300-passenger boat serves the American side, and its launch into the glittering waters of the Lower Niagara River from the boat launch in Canada went off without a hitch.

The Canadian and American coast guards will perform a safety review of the attraction Monday, and then the fun can begin, said Emil Bende, general manager of marine operations.

“We have so many people calling us,” Bende said. The calls start coming in February, he said, “and whether it’s Hong Kong or England . . . some people will delay their vacations, holding off until we’re open.”

The Falls is still the backbone of tourism industry

From the Niagara Falls Review:

It’s a strange juxtaposition: Niagara Falls is among the leaders as a Wonder of Canada in a CBC-sponsored online competition, yet the number of American visitors - the lifeblood of a vibrant tourism industry - crossing the border to visit here is in free fall.

Clearly, it’s cause for concern as the city heads into the heart of the tourism season.

By most accounts, the number of visitors to the city was down last year and it’s apparent the trend will likely continue this year.

Ontario Ministry of Tourism statistics show trips to Canada from the U.S. this year fell 24.7 per cent compared to February, 2006.

Overnight trips were down 13.3 per cent and same-day travel was down 29. 6 per cent.

One could argue February is a bad month to gauge anything by, given the lousy weather we had this year. But it’s no secret the number of U.S. residents crossing the bridges in this area has been dropping for some time.