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 four years ago, tourism had its own section in the Liberal, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic platforms.
For example, then PC leader John Tory promised more money for marketing.
Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty pledged a “comprehensive competitiveness study,” which led to a $4-million report, which in turn led to the creation of regional tourism organizations tasked to make Ontario’s tourism industry more competitive with other destinations around the world.
While there were specific promises for tourism in 2007, this time around, there are few.
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Tourism tug of war: Who is marketing Niagara?
From the Niagara Falls Review:
Welcome to the bumpy ride that is regional tourism.
A new body meant to co-ordinate provincial tourism funding for all of Niagara is just getting off the ground. But the fledgling Regional Tourism Organization has already stumbled into a controversy over an untendered marketing contract.
Meanwhile, the much-maligned Niagara Economic Development Corp., the regional government-funded agency that runs a separate Tourism Niagara website, is paralyzed by a political debate over its future.
When the dust settles, Niagara is supposed to have a co-operative, industry-led organization designed to cut through the clutter of competing marketing efforts and help co-ordinate an effective, regional tourism strategy.
But right now, some industry members feel “it’s hard to do our job,” said Susan Morin, community economic development manager for Venture Niagara.
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Tourism group played by rules, chairman insists
From the Niagara Falls Review:
The head of Niagara’s tourism marketing organization says it has been “as transparent as we can” and insists it played by the rules when it issued a $500,000 untendered contract to publish a promotional magazine.
“I trust the folks around this table. They vetted it and decided it was a good project,” said Dragan Matovic, chairman of the Niagara’s regional tourism organization.
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Justify sole-source contract: MPP
From the Niagara Falls Review:
Whatever information Niagara’s regional tourism organization used to justify an “exception” from the province’s ban on single-source contracts, it should be disclosed to the public to ensure public confidence in the agency, Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor says.
“I think that the chairman of the board should explain to the media or to the public what they presented to the bureaucrats that convinced them this should be an exception,” Craitor said Th ursday.
The first project by Niagara’s regional tourism organization — a body created last year by Ontario’s Liberal government to promote tourism — led to a controversy after it was revealed it commissioned Niagara Fallsbased Rev Publishing to produce a glossy $500,000 tourism magazine without putting it out to tender.
“This is not a good way for it to start out,” said Craitor, who is also parliamentary assistant to Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan.
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Falls important for Ontario tourism: Minister
From the Niagara Falls Review:
As Michael Chan met with several of Niagara’s tourism officials this week, he said one thing became abundantly clear.
“I think the Niagara region is in a really good position moving forward. I’m very hopeful for the future of tourism in the area,” Ontario’s tourism minister told The Niagara Falls Review during his day-long tour of the peninsula Wednesday.
While mayors, economic development officers and others with a stake in the local industry continue to raise concerns about the economy, currency exchange fluctuations and border-related challenges, bright lights can be seen on the horizon, Chan said.
Construction of the Niagara Convention and Civic Centre in Niagara Falls, a motor speedway proposal in Fort Erie and the formation of a regional tourism organization will put the area in good stead come the future, he said.
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