Niagara Falls Fun - Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Canada

Printed by the Review

Artists ‘feel the difference’ after downtown festival
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Art Saturdays, the six-week long festival that took place in downtown Niagara Falls, made a difference, says Suwanna Upper, the owner of Moodie’s Bakery.

“It was a very big help because we had people coming in and out of the store all day from 8:30 a. m., when we opened to 4:30 p. m., when we closed,” said Upper. “We were really able to feel the difference.”

The celebration kicked off Sept. 20, and the idea was to put the spotlight on some of the new artists and galleries that have opened on Queen Street over the past year.

In addition to the art, they had acting and dance lessons, art workshops and even a weekly Creative Creature costume contest leading into Halloween. (more…)

Source: www.bizjournals.com

Hotel bookings start slowing
Business First of Buffalo – by James Fink Business First

The ongoing economic slowdown has impacted hotels across the region as occupancy took a dive in September and will likely do the same in the remainder of the year.

Hotel occupancy, a key factor for the hospitality industry, was off in both Erie County and Niagara Falls in September, according to monthly statistics compiled by Smith Travel Research of Nashville. (more…)

Printed by Niagara Falls Reporter

THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OF TOURISM
By Frank Thomas Croisdale

In most areas working under the Gregorian calendar, summer ended on Sept. 21, but in Niagara Falls, the season was extended by an extra month and didn’t officially end until Oct. 25. That’s the date the Maid of the Mist put out the last boat ride to the falls until next spring.

It’s only after that event that area tour companies switch their Spring/Summer tour schedule over to a Fall/Winter offering. It’s only then that other local attractions officially go to fall hours. The Friday night fireworks over the falls cease and local hotels roll back their room rates in hopes of appealing to locals who might be in need of a weekend getaway.

It’s also an opportune time to take a look back at the tourism season that was and discern the good from the bad and the ugly.

Let’s start with the unpleasantness and work our way up, shall we? (more…)