EDITORIAL — Reducing passport prices would aid tourism industry

From the Niagara Falls Review: Ontario’s tourism industry, particularly in Niagara, has been in one long struggle for the better part of the last decade. Ever since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, border security in the United States has been an ongoing concern; a byproduct of that has been fewer American visitors heading north….

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Minister of State Moore Greets Chinese Tourism Officials in Niagara Falls

From a Marketwire press release: The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), along with Dean Allison, Member of Parliament for Niagara West–Glanbrook, today greeted officials from the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) during their visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario. “I am thrilled to welcome the Chinese delegation to Canada,” said Minister…

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Tourism looking up

(yeah, I know I’m a few days late with this one…) From the Niagara Falls Review: The Honeymoon Capital is having a better tourism season this year than last, despite the continuing difficulties convincing Americans to take their holidays north of the border, says the president of Niagara Falls Tourism. “We’re holding our own,” said…

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City, NPC trying to finalize people mover plans

From the Niagara Falls Review: A deal that could lead to a new mass-transit system serving the tourism areas could be finalized as early as Friday, the mayor and Niagara Parks Commission manager say. Mayor Ted Salci is scheduled to meet with Niagara Parks Commission chairwoman Fay Booker and general manager John Kernahan Friday, in…

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More US visitors in Niagara Falls, Ontario?

Yesterday I linked to a Niagara Falls Review article where there seemed to be some optimism for the summer business. I wanted to add my 2¢… Last year when June came around, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) came into effect, and all travelers going across the border needed a passport or some other type…

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Tourism gets G20 boost

From the Niagara Falls Review: With yet another long weekend behind them, some local tourism officials like what they’ve seen from the summer so far. “Everybody seems to be up slightly (from this time last year),” said Niagara Falls Tourism chairman Wayne Thomson. “Rates for accommodations are not what they used to be, but I…

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City, NPC closing in on People Mover deal

From the Niagara Falls Review: Niagara Falls council and the Niagara Parks Commission appear to be closing in on a deal to operate some kind of joint-venture People Mover System, as they face a June 30 deadline to take advantage of $50 million in government assistance or lose it. “We’re down to the wire,” Mayor…

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Falls will feel HST pinch: PC critic

From Niagara This Week: Dalton McGuinty will have his hands in honeymooners’ pockets with the introduction of the harmonized sales tax, according to the Progressive Conservative party’s tourism critic. Ted Arnott, MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, was in Niagara Falls Tuesday to talk tourism. Speaking to a group of residents and tourists at the bottom of…

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Clinics needed to beat border confusion

From the Niagara Falls Review: There’s still so much confusion about what travel documents are required for entering the United States from Canada, government agencies on both sides of the border should sponsor “clinics” to help people decide which type of identification meets their needs and even to help fill out application forms, the head…

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Craitor kicks off Tourism Week in Falls

From Niagara This Week: Niagara Falls’ economic bread and butter is front and centre this week as part of celebrations for this year’s national Tourism Week. In a kickoff celebration held today at the Ontario Travel Information Centre on Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor, who’s also the newly appointed parliamentary assistant to the…

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