Falls factors in to ‘Billion’

From the Niagara Gazette: Niagara Falls will play an important role in of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “Buffalo Billion” plan, serving as an anchor for the region’s tourism industry. Cuomo stressed the importance of viewing Western New York as a region, and using all the assets of the Falls, the city of Buffalo and the Southern…

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Tourism’s not shrinking in the summer heat

From the Niagara Falls Review: The heat wave of 2012, which has had Niagara baking in 40°C heat on a number of days, hasn’t wilted the region’s summer tourism industry. Hotel occupancy rates in June for the region were up 7.8 % over the same time last year, according to the Tourism Partnership of Niagara….

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‘Blockbuster’ the name of the tourism game

From the Niagara Falls Review: It used to be a video store, but “Blockbuster” is now the mantra of the tourism industry in Niagara and the province of Ontario. Get used to it. Blockbuster. Blockbuster. Blockbuster. At some point, the word became the catch phrase for the kind of events Ontario’s tourism industry wants to…

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Tourism ‘our General Motors’: Falls mayor

From Niagara This Week: Calling the tourism industry “our General Motors,” Mayor Jim Diodati said the city needs to exploit opportunities to stage “blockbuster events” to further increase the number of visitors coming to Niagara Falls. “People poke fun at it, but (tourism) is our General Motors,” Diodati told and audience of 200 at the…

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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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Details surfacing around new people-mover system

From the Niagara Falls Review: While officials remain relatively tight-lipped about ongoing negotiations for a new people-mover project — which appear to be wrapping up — snippets of information continue to be released, painting a slight picture of how the bus system could operate. An agreement between the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara…

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Perfect tourism model comes with a price

From the Western Star: Sometimes, you hear complaints about the lack of professionalism in this province’s tourism industry — about the way that standards, quality and the skills and training of tourism staff vary wildly, depending on which establishment you go to. Three different bed and breakfasts will have three different levels of service and…

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Tourism sector takes stock at season start

From the Niagara Falls Review: With new tourism-related services, and the potential for more in the coming years, officials see a bright future for the No. 1 industry in Niagara Falls. As the traditional tourism season gets underway in the city, many of those involved in the sector are looking forward to seeing if, or…

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Fardell quits Niagara Falls Tourism

From the Niagara Falls Review: Eight months after taking the helm of Niagara Falls Tourism, Joe Fardell is leaving the tourism industry’s marketing agency to take his own career in a new direction. Wayne Thomson, chairman of the organization that promotes the Niagara Falls hospitality industry, confirmed Fardell resigned Monday as managing director. “Mr. Fardell…

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