Niagara Falls expected to lead country in hotel occupancy next year
After two difficult years – with hotel occupancy at 25 and 33 per cent in 2020 and 2021, respectively – Niagara Falls’ tourism sector is projected to see a significantly improved year next year.
According to a recent report from real estate intelligence firm CBRE, Niagara Falls is expected to have a local hotel occupancy rate of 59 per cent in 2022 – the highest of any market in Canada, and just eight points shy of 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels.
Niagara Falls’ nearest competitors will be Vancouver and Quebec City, both projected to see occupancy rates in 2022 of 55 per cent.
Per CBRE, domestic leisure travel has been the biggest source of demand for Canada’s struggling tourism industry over the past two years. A more complete recovery in the industry will depend on the return of U.S. travelers and a resurgence of business travel, meetings and conferences, which is projected to begin ramping up in the spring next year.
Fort Erie Race Track ends season on a rainy, but hopeful note
The 2021 horseracing season at Fort Erie’s famed track came to a close on Tuesday, with the day cut short by inclement weather.
“Unfortunately, due to the continuous rainfall throughout the day we could not carry out the remainder of the card,” said general manager for the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium (FELRC) Drew Cady after the event. “Despite our shortened card today, we still had a tremendous season, one in which we were able to welcome back fans who missed out on the 2020 racing season due to COVID-19 restrictions.”
The shortened card on Tuesday saw close to $400,000 in wagering. In total, Fort Erie had $28.6 million in wagering for 2021.
With this racing season in the books, the border oval looks ahead to next year’s meet and has applied for 40 race days, operating on mostly Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning May 31 through to October 18.
Local post-secondary schools encourage students to celebrate Halloween ‘responsibly’
With the pandemic still percolating at a low level, both Brock University and Niagara College sent out reminders to their student bodies to be responsible and respectful of the current situation and Niagara community at large this Halloween.
“As you navigate how to celebrate, we urge you to make smart decisions: choose low-risk activities to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, follow all public health guidelines, and be respectful when out in the community,” said Niagara College in a news release.
Along with investing in an increased police presence, Brock University is hosting a number of activities this weekend to encourage “responsible gatherings.”
“We really want to encourage our students to explore the wide variety of engaging Brock-sanctioned events and activities that are being offered both in person and online,” said Brad Clarke, Director, Student Life and Success. “We understand that Halloween is a time when students want to gather and enjoy themselves, but we’re asking that it happen in a safe and responsible manner.”
Niagara 2022 opens portal to recruit 4,500 volunteers for Canada Summer Games
On Monday, the Niagara 2022 Host Society officially launched its Games-Time Volunteer Application Portal, inviting residents from the Niagara Region and beyond to apply for the volunteer positions required to deliver next year’s Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, which are scheduled to take place August 6-21, 2022.
The host society must recruit approximately 4,500 volunteers to support and deliver all operational areas of the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Operational areas include sport operations, food services, merchandise sales, and media relations – plus many more. Over 600 bilingual volunteers will also be recruited to participate as translators, interpreters, announcers, proofreaders, and/or hosts.
“With events taking place across Niagara and with a wide variety of volunteer roles available, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved with and support the [games],” said Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the Niagara 2022 Host Society. “We are encouraging community members to join our Niagara 2022 volunteer team to help deliver a Canada Games that will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a tremendous legacy for Niagara.”
Prospective volunteers applying through the portal will be given the opportunity to select their preferences for venue locations and their top three choices for volunteer roles. The Niagara 2022 team will do their best to provide each successful applicant with a preferred role at their preferred venue.
Ontario looking to make after-work emails thing of the past
On Monday, the Ford government introduced legislation that, if passed, would better protect, support, and attract workers to the province. The proposed changes would promote healthy work-life balance and further enable competitiveness by banning unfair non-compete agreements that are used to restrict work opportunities, suppress salary increases, and hamper wage growth.
“The new legislation is a positive development for both employers and workers in Niagara,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“The pandemic has changed employment conditions across the province and the Working for Workers Act addresses current and future labour trends, attracting newcomers to Ontario, protecting workers and supporting job creators.”
If passed, the proposed legislation would position Ontario as the first jurisdiction in Canada to make it easier for people to relax and spend quality time with their loved ones by requiring employers with 25 employees or more to develop disconnecting-from-work policies. These workplace policies could include, for example, expectations about response time for emails and encouraging employees to turn on out-of-office notifications when they aren’t working.
Trudeau unveils expanded cabinet, several major players moved
More than a month after securing another minority mandate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his governing cabinet on Tuesday, with eight additional members added.
Only a handful of ministers stayed in their former roles in the new 39-member cabinet, including the previously announced Chrystia Freeland, who remains deputy prime minister and minister of finance. David Lametti remains justice minister and attorney general, and Omar Alghabara stays at transport.
Some of the major moves include Harjit Sajjan out of defence and into international development, Patty Hajdu out of health and into Indigenous services, and Jonathan Wilkinson out of environment and into natural resources. Steven Guilbeault, the former climate activist, takes over as environment minister, while Melanie Joly replaces Marc Garneau at foreign affairs.
To see the full list of who landed where, click here.
This Weekend Around the Region
All Hallows’ Eve at Old Fort Erie
Tour the eerie grounds and barracks of Canada’s bloodiest battlefield by torch and candlelight. Hear spooky tales and learn about the fascinating history of some of the most beloved Halloween traditions.
Be sure to dress for the weather as parts of the tour will take place outside. The tour runs rain or shine. Small snacks and cold and hot beverages will be available for purchase at the onsite welcome centre.
When: Friday, Oct. 29 – Saturday, Oct. 30
Where: Old Fort Erie, Fort Erie
To view available times and reserve your slot, go to the Niagara Parks’ website here.
Frightmare in the Falls
Frightmare in the Falls represents the “most intimate and interactive horror festival in North America”. Offering more than 50,000 square feet of all things horror, the two-day event features over 75 vendors, celebrity panels, screenings, displays, movie props and more.
Guests this year include Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Ken Kirzinger (Freddy vs. Jason), Ken Coates (Sons of Anarchy), Ross Marquand (Walking Dead/Avengers), and many more!
When: Friday, Oct. 29 – Saturday Oct. 30
Where: Scotiabank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls
For more details and to purchase tickets, go to the event website here.
Trunk or Treat
Head over to the Faith Welland Church parking lot Saturday night to trick-or-treat and check out and vote on a variety of Halloween-themed decorated cars.
The family-friendly event is free for all. Costumes encouraged!
When: Saturday, Oct. 30, 6-8pm
Where: Faith Welland Church, Welland
For more information, contact the number or email provided here.
Costume Parade
On the night before Halloween take the whole family (pets allowed!) out to downtown St. Catharines for a costume parade on St. Paul and James Street. Free loot bags included!
Registration is required. Entrance is free; however, participants are asked to please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Community Care.
When: Saturday, Oct. 30
Where: Downtown St. Catharines
To register for one of the parades, go to the downtown association’s event page here.
