From the Niagara Falls Review:
For the first time since the 1970s, Frank Herman walked into a local gas station with American money and had to pay exchange.
“I asked how much (gas) I could put in for US$20 and I was told I” could only get C$19 worth, he said, after filling up as the Canadian dollar crept toward parity with the American greenback.
“That really bothered me. I felt ripped off. I’ve never spent money on gas in the U.S. because I don’t believe in it - I believe in supporting businesses right here.”
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This is rough… I used to like the exchange-rate because everything is jacked-up in Canada. Video Games are an average of may be $10.00 higher, clothes are higher, food costs more… but the exchange-rate used to justify that, and make it seem reasonable.
Now that everything is on-par… that .95 cents per litre of gas is even more than it’s ever been. I’m guessing people will be crossing the Canadian border paying American money for the bridge-toll since Canadian is still a dollar higher.
Ashame… because I liked spending money up there… but not when it costs 20% more than the USA, even for services (ie: Clifton Hill’s goodies).
Combined w/ hangover from SARS, 9/11, the WHTI the Can dollar going up is going to create big problems for NF tourism. I know some are going to argue that, and thats fine…the fact is the area will not adjust prices, and people just will not be coming from the US. Americans have absolutely no reason to play in a casino in Ont, if the dolalr ends up being less than the looney. And like you said Rob, 20% more (or sometimes higher) on EVERYTHING up there. It would be one thing if business’s adjusted but they are not going to. This is why I hated the GST rebate and free parking @ the casino being eliminated. Shouldn’t operators be doing everything they can to bring people in? I dont think the 3 of tourist from Canada and other parts of the world will equal the loss of day trippers from the US and short flight getaways. It my opinion, some will say Im wrong, and that is fine…but this is not a good thing for tourism. Great for Canada though!
sloppy post, just woke up
Yea, forgot about that…
The PST & GST is a double-screw in taxes. I thought it was bad enough we had 8.75% tax in Erie County… double screwed up to 14% in Canada with both taxes combined.
It’s good for the USA, yes… but I don’t think Niagara County is going to really take advantage of it. Their business district in Niagara Falls has been in a stale-mate for years now.
said it before, will say it again…biggest waste of prime land in North America, Niagara Falls NY. I think I am going to run for mayor of that city.
Hahah, I think its too late as the primary elections were this past Tuesday. The only thing thats happening is more and more Canadians are coming to shop here, and what are retail stores doing in Niagara Falls, placing big signs in their windows saying that no Canadian money is being accepted at this store! Way to go Niagara Falls, driving away all the business from this area!
I liked going to Canada too, but I am not spending bridge fee 20% more 14% tax just to go to Canada. I may take a short trip to the Playdium in Missisauga in a couple weeks though, but I will be bringing my own lunch and spending as little as possible in Canada. The only thing that saves me is when I go to Canada the only money that is spent is for tokens at arcades, and the token prices at the Skylon Tower haven’t changed in a long time, hopefully they won’t change it.
This is what us Canadians have been enduring for many years, i.e. knowing that everything we bought in the U.S. was actually costing 1/3 more than the listed price. When we went to Disneyworld twice in the past 10 years and paid $50 ($70CDN)for admission and $3.50 ($4.75CDN) for a bottle of water, we new it was expensive, but that was the cost of the vacation and we knew that before we went. Their astronomical prices haven’t deterred millions from going every year. I am sure that if visitors declined a great deal, Disney would make adjustments in pricing to deal with it, and I’m sure the same thing will happen here, but when the Fallsview Casino is booked solid and 3 more large hotels are being, or soon to be, built, it looks like people from somewhere are still coming to Niagara Falls.
I agree with niagara when she says Niagara Falls NY is a waste of land. They are right beside one of the world’s wonders, you think they’d clean it up a bit? One big building there and a green thing over the falls. They must be looking at our side and think “Oh My Gosh! They must be really happy about that.” And we have to stare at a wal-mart and a target with a building w/ bright colours. We have MarineLand (been there 8 times this year, what a deal!)
Clifton Hill, 10 or so big hotels, a few motels, Restaurants, theatres, casinoes, and even an indoor skydiving place. They seriously need to clean up. If i were mayor, i would get a crew w/ bulldozers and stuff and get rid of it all. Canada Rules! Oh, and Disney raised there prices to 71 bucks each, rick.
71 american bucks.
Niagara Falls isnt quite the international brand the folks over at Disney have going with all due respect…Its two tottally different attractions/destinations. I guess we will wait and see when the WHTI goes through and if the US dollar continues to struggle what will happen. I think the point being made is Niagara Falls is great, love it we all do or wouldnt post here, but it isnt doing itself any favors w/price and elimination of little things.
The sad thing is, RevPAR has been held steady or even risen a bit over last year in Niagara Falls. I hope some of the big operators come to their senses and offer more value packages. Also, this is New York’s time to take advantage. The government there needs to work with local operators and potential investors to create nicer destination.
Niagara, I wasn’t trying to compare them. I was just pointing out that people travel to places knowing that it will be expensive because that is where they want to go. I didn’t not go to Disney because it was expensive. We went because that’s where we wanted to go. That may or may not be the case in Niagara Falls. If people keep coming, prices will remain high. If they don’t, prices will drop.
I totally agree, Id rather go to NF than Vegas,Disney, etc… I think anyone who has long term planned a trip to NF, perhaps never been before etc… will go because like you say, they want to go there. My question is what kind of value are you getting in NF compared to other tourist destinations. Like Dan M. says,I want to see more packages and things like that offered. I also agree this is NY’s time to take advantage, but doubt they will. I think Seneca will take a bite out of the casino business in Ont., but thats about it. Ha,its funny because Im just one of many who come on this board,who love to visit and I think the reason I complain so much is because I want to come as much as possible,like the old days, but financially its just not possible anymore. The prices may not hurt the family who plans a trip for 6-8 months visits,and then never comes again. I think they will suffer sticker shock though at most places.
I go to disney every year, and i know it’ll be expensive, but it’s a great place to see.