From the Niagara Falls Review:
Niagara’s tourism industry continues to suffer a hangover from significant events of years past - the SARS outbreak and 9-11. Compounding these lingering effects are issues like confusion about the need to show identification when crossing the border, the rising loonie and the end of a GST exemption for visitors to Canada.
Put it all together and it means Niagara’s tourism stakeholders have to come up with some new strategies, and fast.
…
The focus has to be shifted to two other areas - the long-distance traveller and the domestic market. Long-distance travellers, those arriving by air, have to be enticed by comprehensive packages offering a varied experience, and that will require co-operation from Niagara Falls and Niagara’s entire tourism market - hotels, attractions, wineries and the like.
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This is a well written article. A few things stand out however. I dont think you can really market the casinos (that would be part of the big draw in any marketing plan Im sure) in Niagara to anyone in the states to be honest. As much as I like the casinos in NF, they dont offer what other casinos offer. You cannot smoke, and you do not get free drinks. This is a big part of what keeps people coming to casinos in Vegas and other locations. It should not be discounted what big losses those are. The casinos in NF do not seem to honor/reward its players like most traditional casinos do.
I also do not see most if any hotel groups getting together and offering better package deals or anything like that. I think marketing to Canadians also mighty not work as well, and I only say that because anytime I have ever met anyone Canadian they seem to want to stay as far away from the NF area as possible because of the insane prices and taxes on everything. But, I admit I am not Canadian and I cant speak to that in detail.
The dollar being so low is a big issue. But its one the region cannot do anything about, outside of lowering prices. I dont think thats going to happen anytime soon.
The Gst is an issue that someone should have recognized as not helping a problem, and should have never been dropped.
I dont really know what can be done to help the situation really. I think many underestimate how much the region needs the day/short trippers, and the people driving in from Ohio, Pa, NY, WV Va etc etc.. I am not sure if marketing to other areas will help, because that is the core business. but it cannot hurt to try. They need to be trying everything I guess.
It also mentions people coming in from Quebec for the fine dining. And I love Niagara more than any place I have ever been…but fine dining in NF? Id say that is one thing the area seems to have always lacked save one or two spots. I found that interesting.
I need a “Canadian” answer please….
Is this just wishful thinking on my part or at the time of the institution of the GST did I hear that it was only supposed to be a temporary tax???
Hello Niagara!
You had expressed interest in some photos from Niagara and surrounding area. I collected my favorite photos and enhanced images and I put them in a blog here: http://niagaraspot.blogspot.com/
If they aren’t what you’re looking for - no worries. I figured I’d give you a look. I don’t find Clifton hill picturesque…but the pictures Graham found through flikr were quite nice. I have to re-evaluate my photo-ops!!! : )
Hello Karen, there are a couple of those I would be interested in. What am I looking at in terms of price
Thanks niagara! It depends on what you’re looking for - I can do an 8×10 print for the long-time-blogger-only price of $15. : ) I can do a framed print for $25. The frames I have are 8×10 “clip” frames that show the entire image that give it a nice, clean look. I can research something matted and get back to you on that.
is ur email on the site?
Karen,
Is ur email on that site?
sorry for the double post graham, i guess i used me email for the login name.
Hey graham,
as you might expect I’m nervous about putting my email here - or on my own site for the spammers to see. Since you have our emails, can you pass mine to niagara? If that’s a problem, let me know and I’ll find another way.
Thanks!
I’ve emailed both of you so that you have each other’s email addresses.
Have we said lately how much we love you Graham?