March 31, 2006
Howie Mandel, Host of “Deal or No Deal” coming to Niagara Falls
Date: July 1 and 2, 2006
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Niagara Fallsview Casino
Prices: Mezzanine Seating & Floor Seating $49.50, $59.50 / Balcony Seating $39.50
Tickets: Click Here to Buy Tickets
Floor Plan: Avalon Ballroom
Star of hit television shows like DEAL OR NO DEAL, film and stage, Howie Mandel’s versatile career has made him a mainstay of the American comedy scene and one of the most successful comedy stars of today. Come join Howie for a hilarious evening of his affable and energetic brand of comedy.
Source: Niagara Fallsview Casino
Click Here for more information about Howie Mandel’s visit to Niagara Falls
March 30, 2006
The Niagara USA travel guide has just launched their all new website this week. It contains a broad range of useful tourism information for the U.S. side of Niagara Falls.
http://www.niagara-usa.com
The layout has been dramatically updated from their previous effort as seen at this page:
http://www.worldwebdex.com/ntcc/nusa/
March 23, 2006
It’s still business as usual at the Canada-U.S. border
OTTAWA, March 23 /PRNewswire/ – With upcoming U.S. passport requirements
under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) already having a
deterrent effect on travel between Canada and the United States, the tourism
industry on both sides of the border wants to clear up the confusion and get
more people travelling again.
The new rules requiring all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to
present a passport or acceptable alternative when entering the United States
do not take effect until December 31, 2007 for land border crossings (December
31, 2006 is the implementation date for air and sea travel). But anxiety about
not having the proper documentation is making many people think twice about
driving across the border – and prompting some to stay home.
Canada’s land border duty-free stores are on the front lines of the U.S.
passport issue, literally and figuratively. They have been among the first to
notice a decline in border traffic. In particular, they have seen a drop in
the number of American visitors – drawn by exceptional quality at exceptional
savings made even more substantial by a favourable exchange rate – who
traditionally make up a large part of their customer base.
“Since the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was announced, there
seems to be a lot of confusion about what is happening at Canada-U.S. border
crossings, and we’ve seen a significant drop in sales and border traffic
overall,” says Cam Bissonnette, General Manager of Osoyoos/Kingsgate Duty Free
Shops. “My staff is telling me that many of our customers think they will be
allowed to cross the border only if they have a passport in their hands as of
January 1, 2007, which obviously is not the case.”
Widespread reporting of sometimes inaccurate information about the WHTI
has contributed to misconceptions such as these that have the entire tourism
industry worried. Businesses and industry groups on both sides of the Canada-
U.S. border are joining together to address the issue. The Tourism Industry
Association of Canada (TIAC) is leading a binational Passport Coalition that
is seeking to mitigate the effects of the new rules. “Because the rules
implement legislation passed by the U.S. Congress, it’s unlikely their
implementation can be delayed,” notes TIAC President and CEO Randy Williams.
“In any case, doing so would simply prolong the confusion and uncertainty that
are currently keeping some people away from the Canada-U.S. border. To some
extent, the damage has already been done.”
The industry is calling for a single implementation date of
January 1, 2008, for all modes of travel, the joint development by the U.S.
and Canada of easy-to-obtain and affordable passport substitutes, effective
border management plans, and extensive public information and awareness
campaigns.
“The U.S. passport issue has already decreased reciprocal tourism trade
between our two countries,” adds Chuck Loewen, General Manager of Peace Bridge
Duty Free and Vice President of the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA),
which represents the 35 stores and their 250-plus suppliers. “And this isn’t
just affecting our industry’s sales and revenues, but hitting the pocketbooks
of our customers.” Those stores offer luxury items from all over the world at
prices representing savings of more than 50%, in some cases, compared to
traditional retail stores.
For its part, the FDFA has begun a grassroots campaign to educate the
duty-free stores’ American and Canadian customers about what identification
they need to cross the border now and in the future, and encourage them to
obtain passports. Operators and employees are handing out U.S. and Canadian
passport applications to interested customers, and informing them about
application procedures. “We want to ensure that our customers have the ability
to travel as they wish, whether it be a planned trip or a spontaneous decision
to get up and go,” says FDFA Executive Director Laurie Karson.
In the meantime, the tourism industry is reminding Americans and
Canadians that they can still get across the Canada-U.S. border with a birth
certificate and photo driver’s license. “Essentially, what it boils down to is
business as usual,” Mr. Bissonette points out. “There are no lineups
paralyzing traffic flows, and customs officers are asking for the same forms
of identification that they have always requested.”
SOURCE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
March 22, 2006
Source: City of Niagara Falls, Business News Update Newsletter, Mar. 2006
Silver Mist Productions is bringing a live performance of Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” to Niagara Falls. The musical adaptation of the hit Disney film will be opening at the 700 seat Greg Frewin Theatre, May 16th, 2006.
Actors from across Canada auditioned for the 16 roles in the much anticipated performance. A theatrical version of the 1991 animated film Aladdin, the $1.6-million production of Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.” marks the first show by Silver Mist Productions, a new Niagara based company. Producer Linus Hand says about 500 actors requested auditions. Of that group, 150 were invited to Niagara Falls to compete for various roles. “We were overwhelmed by the number of requests we got from professional actors,” he said. Aladdin Jr. is directed by Raquel Duffy, who has guided more than a dozen shows for Halifax’s Neptune Theatre.
For more information about Aladdin Jr. and Silver Mist Productions visit www.silvermist.ca. Information about the venue, Greg Frewin Theatre, is available at www.gregfrewintheatre.com.
Source: City of Niagara Falls, Business News Update Newsletter, Mar. 2006
Niagara Parks and representatives of Cirque Niagara have established a partnership to bring together a new $10 million production with world-class Cirque performers specifically designed for Niagara. Starting this spring, Rapidsview Park will be transformed into a new venue capable of entertaining a multitude of visitors each day. With Niagara as its backdrop, this will be an exceptional addition to the destination offerings and another reason to visit Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world.
AVAIA is a mystical journey into the abyss of time where ancient mysteries of the past engage with the innovations of the future. It is a celebration of life and of man’s love for horses demonstrating the harmony between mankind and nature. While the horses move in a perfectly timed dressage, the infinitely creative mix of artistry, acrobatics and dance will astonish and spark the imagination. The artists not only defy the laws of gravity, they transcend the laws of nature as they unveil the secret wisdom of the future and of times past.
Creator Mairbek Kantemirov and Artistic Director Oleg Kantemirov are world renowned in the circus, theatrical and Russian film industry. They are both part of the great Kantemirov Circus Family Dynasty and their family was the first to create original shows combining acrobats with horses in a circus performance. Mairbek Kantemirov is an internationally acclaimed producer who has won numerous international awards. Oleg Kantemirov has performed in many Cirque du Soleil productions, and has over 25 years experience in both performing and directing. Audiences will see some of the world’s rarest breeds of horses carefully selected from Europe and Russia for this spectacular show.
Performances will be at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily from May 20 to October 8, 2006. Ticket prices are $75, $55 and $35. Groups may purchase tickets by calling the Group Sales Box Office at 905-941-1970.
Tickets will only be available to purchase by phone with a credit card by calling the Cirque Niagara Box Office at 1-877-CIRQUE1 (247-7831) or by visiting www.cirqueniagara.com
Source: City of Niagara Falls, Business News Update Newsletter, Mar. 2006
Vincor International Inc. is expanding its Niagara Falls Winery operations on Dorchester Road with a new 70,000 square foot facility. The first phase (41,000 sq. ft.) includes a 36,750 square foot warehouse, offices, and retail space.
One of the world’s top ten wine companies by revenue, Vincor International Inc. has grown since its original wine cellars first opened in 1890.
Vincor prospers globally due to a very strong economy and market at home in Canada. “The strong support in infrastructure from telecommunications, to transport, to a highly skilled and educated workforce is a fundamental part of that strength and is critical to our being globally competitive”. Donald Triggs, president and CEO.
Vincor wineries are located in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, California, Washington State, Western Australia and New Zealand, and is one of the largest wine importers, marketers and distributors in the United Kingdom. Niagara Falls Vincor operation employs 150 people.
For more information about Vincor visit: www.vincorinternational.com
March 9, 2006
Clifton Hill’s Giant Wheel Officially named as the Niagara SkyWheel!
Printed from the March 2006 – Clifton Hill Resorts newsletter
Quality Inn / Giant Wheel Development Update
We are proud to announce the “name” of our future observation ride, which will be known officially as the “Niagara SkyWheel.” Our giant wheel will feature climate controlled gondolas providing year round sight-seeing comfort as you soar 175 feet above the Falls area. The mild winter has helped keep the SkyWheel construction on schedule, with a grand opening planned for the end of May.
As a part of the construction, the original Quality Inn driveway will be transformed into the official entrance of the SkyWheel. Quality Inn guests can enter the adjacent Comfort Inn driveway and check in at its respective lobby. This will be our common lobby for both the Quality Inn and Comfort Inn. A newly designed map of the complex and updated signs will help direct guests to their hotel wing and local amenities.
Also during the expansion phase, Quality Inn guests will be able to take advantage of the free deluxe continental breakfast, served overlooking the tropical indoor pool of the Comfort Inn.
Keep track of all the exciting developments in the coming newsletters.
Source: NiagaraFrontier.com
Live With Regis & Kelly
The “Live With Regis & Kelly” television show is coming to Niagara Falls on Monday May 22nd 2006 for shows at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
A third show may be held at 2 p.m.
Three thousand (3,000) tickets will be available for each show.
The shows will be broadcast from Oakes Garden Theater located on Clifton Hill at Falls Avenue.
This will be the second visit for host Regis Philbin this year (he performed at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort). This will be the first visit for his co-host Kelly Ripa.
