From the Buffalo News:
Less than two years before passports would be required to enter the United States from either of its neighbors, the Niagara region’s tourism industry is already taking a big economic hit.
Canadian businesses are bemoaning scrapped visits by Americans who think the new border security initiative already is in effect.
“Perception is reality to people,” said Dave Hyde, president of the Ontario-based Niagara Falls Tours. “They already perceive it as a problem, so they don’t bother.”
On the American side, the hospitality industry – a good barometer of tourism strength – has been soft, said Dave Fleck, president of the Niagara Falls Hotel/Motel Association.
June was the first month in recent memory that revenue at his Howard Johnson hotel did not top the figure from the same month in the previous year, he said.
But while the issue cuts both ways, industry officials agree, the brunt of the impact is on Canadian businesses.