WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Writer defends U.S. side of falls

From The Journal-Register (in Medina, NY): A Pennsylvania writer took pains in a recent travel story to defend the American side of Niagara Falls, widely considered inferior to its Canadian counterpart. Jack Markowitz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, in a story discussing the Cataract City, said that even with increased international border security, there is no…

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TRAVEL: No delays blamed on new border rules

From the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal: If you’re a U.S. citizen lacking the proper documentation for that return trip from Canada, don’t panic. After all those warnings that you needed to be in full compliance by June 1 — when the new rules took effect — the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reminded motorists…

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‘Flexible’ U.S. guards ease border flow

From the Toronto Star: As cars and trucks breezed across the Peace Bridge to Buffalo this morning, it was shaping up to be a typical Monday at the U.S.-Canadian border despite new documentation requirements coming into effect today. Under the new requirements, Canadians will still be allowed across the U.S. border without a passport or…

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Passport required

From the Niagara Falls Review: Canadians travelling to the U. S. by car need to add one more thing to their checklist starting today as new rules requiring passports kick in. Showing up at a crossing with your birth certificate or citizenship card and photo ID won’t guarantee entry anymore. The United States now requires…

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‘Extremely unsettling time’ for wary tourism operators

From the Niagara Falls Review: Things are going well for the Niagara Parks Commission. The first half of 2009, including two long weekends, brought better than expected crowds around the historic park area. “It has been a good kickoff to the year,” said general manager John Kernahan. “But I’m extremely fearful of what’s coming.” After…

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Niagara Falls tourism industry braces for impact of new passport rules

From Canoe.ca Travel: Just beneath the cheery din of slot-machine sirens, the sound of blissed-out tourist traffic and the crash of Niagara Falls, an undercurrent of anxiety is flowing among merchants and attraction operators as they brace for what some fear could be a summer of discontent. As of June 1, those who make their…

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HOW TO AVOID THE SUMMER TRAVEL TRAFFIC BLUES

Here is a press release I received via email from the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission: HOW TO AVOID THE SUMMER TRAVEL TRAFFIC BLUES Niagara Falls Bridge Commission offers tips on how to avoid traffic when crossing one of the three international bridges over the Niagara River LEWISTON, NEW YORK – Summer is fast approaching and…

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U.S. diplimoat assures regional tourism leaders on border crossings

From Hotel Online: An American diplomat reassured regional tourism officials Thursday that tighter border-crossing requirements due to take effect June 1 will not impede the flow of travelers and their dollars to and from Canada. Not everyone attending the fourth annual Binational Tourism Alliance was convinced. Some fretted that a looming flu pandemic, combined with…

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Weak Canadian dollar means paying more at border

From the Niagara Falls Review: The prolonged weakness of the Canadian dollar means people paying more to cross the border. Effective May 15, Canadian tolls for passenger vehicles will be increased to $4.00 Cdn from the current $3.75 rate. The U.S. tolls will remain at $3.25 U.S. The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, which operates the…

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