Strong tourism start despite surging dollar

From the Niagara Falls Review: A top Niagara Falls tourism official is not concerned about the Canadian dollar’s surge to US80 cents this week amid a weakened U.S. dollar and further signs of a strengthening Canadian economy. “I don’t think it’s enough to discourage anybody from coming,” said Wayne Thomson, chairman of Niagara Falls Tourism….

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In Niagara Falls visit, Cuomo hails new hotel overlooking rapids

From the Buffalo News: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Monday that a new 191-room hotel overlooking the Niagara River rapids was the latest evidence that the state’s efforts to strengthen the Niagara Falls economy are working. In a speech to nearly 200 local residents and officials, Cuomo said he wants Empire State Development to “step…

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Falls continues to ‘move the ball forward’: Mayor

From the Niagara Falls Review: Niagara Falls continues to “move the ball forward” when it comes to growing the local economy and providing more opportunities for its residents and visitors, says Mayor Jim Diodati. “Our roots are firmly planted in the fundamentals of this city and making progress on our initiatives,” Diodati told a sold-out…

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And away… WEGO!

From Niagara This Week: The replacement for the aging Peoplemover transit system in Niagara Falls now has a name — WEGO. The brand is meant to be a fun pairing of the words “we,” meaning friendship and social activity with “go” to emphasize adventure and exploration. The name was unveiled Thursday in a joint statement…

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Wallenda taking his case to tourism minister

From the Niagara Falls Review: The Niagara Parks Commission slammed the door on Nik Wallenda Wednesday, but a day later Minister of Tourism Michael Chan opened it up just a bit. Speaking with the Niagara Falls Review Thursday, the Ontario tourism minister invited Wallenda, a seventh-generation aerialist who wants to walk across the Niagara Gorge…

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Wallenda makes high-wire walk case before Canada’s Niagara Parks panel

From the Buffalo News: After a lifetime of staring down death atop a high-wire, Nik Wallenda on Wednesday faced a different challenge: persuading Canadian officials to let him walk a wire across Niagara Falls. Unlike the high-wire acts that made his family famous, Wallenda won’t know for weeks whether this attempt was a success. Wallenda…

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Political parties not ignoring tourism, say candidates

From the Niagara Falls Review: Tourism may not be as prominent an issue in this provincial election as it was in 2007. But candidates representing the three major parties looking to form government after Oct. 6 are adamant they’re not overlooking an industry they say is so vital to Niagara’s economy. During the provincial election…

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Tourism ‘flat’ in Falls

From the Niagara Falls Review: It could be better. It could be worse. But with the peak season of tourism upon us, the general consensus among operators is business has been “mediocre” and “flat,” says Niagara Falls Tourism chairman Wayne Thomson. “Some of the properties are behind a little bit, or slightly ahead,” he said….

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State Parks Commissioner Outlines Niagara Falls State Park Improvement Plans

From WKBW Channel 7 in Buffalo: New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey on Tuesday outlined a three-part plan to ensure that Niagara Falls State Park offers a welcoming and attractive visitor experience that matches the natural beauty of the Niagara River falls and gorge. “Governor Cuomo’s administration is fully committed…

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