Summer expected to be banner season for tourism

Selfie sticks outnumbered umbrellas at Table Rock on Monday as a soggy start to the Victoria Day weekend ended with clear skies and warm temperatures.

“Those waterfalls are truly majestic,” said Stephen Markerian as he jostled to find an ideal selfie spot in front of the Horseshoe Falls.

This was his Ohio family’s first time in Niagara. Markerian said it was a last-minute decision to pack up the minivan and head north of the border, and he’s glad he did.

“We’re only here a few days and there’s so much we won’t be able to do,” he said.

The father of three said he sees a return visit on the horizon.

And, that’s exactly what the tourism industry wants to hear as the city prepares for what is expected to be a successful summer season.

“Without exception, this will be the best season we’ve had so far,” said Wayne Thomson, chairman of Niagara Falls Tourism and a Falls city councillor.

“We’ve seen increases over the last three years and they have been the best years we’ve ever had and I anticipate that to continue.”

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati agrees.

“If early numbers are any indication, and the weather co-operates, and the dollar stays around what it is, I expect to have another banner year on the heels of Canada 150,” he said.

Ajeet Johar, from Brampton, has been travelling to Niagara each year with family since he was a child.

“Now I have my own family and I want to carry on with that tradition,” he said.

“It has certainly changed over the years and it seems each year there’s something new to explore.”

Generating a lot of social media buzz this year is the new Niagara Speedway on Clifton Hill. The elevated go-kart attraction, which has been compared to a real-life Mario Kart, is scheduled to open in June.

“That is really going to excite a lot of people and that whole area of Clifton Hill is going to be a total entertainment centre,” Thomson said.

“It’s going to be like a miniDisneyworld.”

The attraction will be the first of its kind in Canada and the largest in North America.

“This is one of the most hotly anticipated attractions to hit Niagara Falls,” Diodati said.

An estimated 14.5 million people visited Niagara Falls in 2017, spending more than $2.3 billion.