From the Toronto Sun:
Explore your own backyard
Tourist towns near the border with the U.S. have suffered a triple whammy in recent years. The recession, new passport rules and a strong Canadian dollar have kept Americans at home.
According to statistics from Ontario Tourism, from January to June 2009 the number of American visitors to Ontario fell 7.9% compared with the same period in 2008.
Some of the losses have been offset by an increase in Canadian visitors cashing in on deals for hotels, dining and attractions in places hard hit by the downturn such as Niagara Falls.
Many of us think of the Falls as a summer getaway but there are enough year-round attractions to make it a fun long weekend for families, couples or friends.