Future cloudy for Falls favorite Maid of the Mist
From the Washington Examiner:
Deliberations in Canada over the future of the Maid of the Mist sightseeing boats at Niagara Falls are being closely watched in the United States, where elected and tourism officials want to avoid disruptions to an iconic draw that brings millions of tourists to the Falls each year.
The double-decker boats ferry people from both sides of the Niagara River to the base of the Horseshoe Falls under separate agreements with New York state and Ontario, Canada. The tours have run continuously since 1846.
The Niagara Parks Commission, an arm of the Ontario government that controls the land and buildings around the Canadian falls, approved a 25-year contract with the Maid of the Mist Steamship Co. in 2008. But the lack of competition for the deal drew criticism, so the commission called for bids from competing boat tour operators for the first time.
The multimillion-dollar bids are under review; the commission is expected to make its recommendation to Ontario’s tourism minister in February, though at one point it had anticipated choosing a company by the end of last year.
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/travel/2012/01/future-cloudy-falls-favorite-maid-mist/2147516?utm_source=feedburnerdcexaminer%2Fwheels&utm_medium=feedWheels&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dcexaminer%2Fwheels+%28Wheels%29%24%7Bdistribu&utm_content=%24%7BdistributionCha#ixzz1kx3vjMZd
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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 of State Moore. “I am also glad to be able to show them some of what makes Canada a wonderful destination for our Chinese friends.”
While meeting with the CNTA delegates, the Minister of State spoke about the importance of the arrival of the first official tour groups from China last week.
“With last week’s arrival of over 350 Chinese leisure travellers, Canadian tourism has taken a step forward in terms of competing on the world stage,” noted Minister of State Moore.
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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 of State Moore. “I am also glad to be able to show them some of what makes Canada a wonderful destination for our Chinese friends.”
While meeting with the CNTA delegates, the Minister of State spoke about the importance of the arrival of the first official tour groups from China last week.
“With last week’s arrival of over 350 Chinese leisure travellers, Canadian tourism has taken a step forward in terms of competing on the world stage,” noted Minister of State Moore.
Related posts:
- Tourism Minister stops in Niagara for first official visit From Niagara This Week: Ontario’s Minister of Tourism and Culture...
- Tourism minister needs a map to find Falls: Hudak From the Niagara Falls Review: Ontario Conservative Leader Tim Hudak...
- China makes it easier for citizens to visit Canada From the Niagara Falls Review: China has granted Canada a...
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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 of State Moore. “I am also glad to be able to show them some of what makes Canada a wonderful destination for our Chinese friends.”
While meeting with the CNTA delegates, the Minister of State spoke about the importance of the arrival of the first official tour groups from China last week.
“With last week’s arrival of over 350 Chinese leisure travellers, Canadian tourism has taken a step forward in terms of competing on the world stage,” noted Minister of State Moore.
Related posts:
- Tourism Minister stops in Niagara for first official visit From Niagara This Week: Ontario’s Minister of Tourism and Culture...
- Tourism minister needs a map to find Falls: Hudak From the Niagara Falls Review: Ontario Conservative Leader Tim Hudak...
- China makes it easier for citizens to visit Canada From the Niagara Falls Review: China has granted Canada a...
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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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Feds want passport views
From the Niagara Falls Review:
The federal government won’t move ahead with its plan to incorporate biometric technology into passports until Canadians have had a chance to weigh in on it.
Pamela Stephens, a spokeswoman for Justice Minister and Attorney General Rob Nicholson, said Friday the minister’s office has been assured by Passport Canada that the agency intends to conduct public consultations, which will likely commence in early April.
The federal government has talked about introducing biometric passports as far back as 2008. The plan was mentioned again in last week’s speech from the throne. However, the government’s proposed 2010 budget, unveiled last week, didn’t provided specific details about funding for the initiative.
Some local tourism officials have expressed support in principle for biometrics, but want to know if the changes will mean Canadians will have to pay more to acquire the important border-crossing documents.
“Before price is established, there will be a public consultation process,” said Stephens. “In the second part of that process, they will introduce a fee structure, so they’re going to consult Canadians on a price before anything is … announced.”
“That will be an important part for people, particularly in the Niagara area.”
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