Last week, Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford announced a tourism strategy aiming to add new attractions and service expansions to Niagara Falls in order to turn the town and landmark into a Canadian equivalent of Las Vegas. Ontario has been expanding it’s gaming presence since online casinos went live in 2022.
Ford, the 26th Ontario Premier, and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, has been in office since 2018.
The 61-year-old’s Destination Niagara Strategy aims to transform Niagara Falls into an internationally competitive destination, available to visit at any time of the year.
The three waterfalls span the border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of New York. They are visited by 13 million people per annum, with the government aiming to nearly double that estimate to roughly 25 million.
Why Niagara Falls?
Niagara is a strong drive of Ontario’s economy, but officials believe that the project could add roughly $3bn per year to the province’s gross domestic product (GDP) and create jobs in hospitality, entertainment and transport.
A historic power station that overlooks the falls, the Toronto Power Generating Station, is being considered to be repurposed into a boutique hotel space alongside other cultural attractions like art galleries, restaurants and theatres.
Having been built in 1906, the National Historic Site of Canada supplied electricity until it was decommissioned in 1974. Niagara Parks Commission has owned it since 2007 and has been planning its adaptive reuse ever since.
To complement existing gaming venues, the Government is looking to design more casinos including large Las Vegas-style operators. Ford has challenged current casino operators to propose billion-dollar hotels that include entertainment attractions.
Plans to incorporate live theatres and cinemas in the casinos are accompanied by building a large theme park. Other proposed entertainment attractions include a major observation wheel and electric tram experience with views of the falls.
Increased infrastructure
To support increased tourism, highway expansions – such as widening the Queen Elizabeth Way – and more GO train services are planned. Niagara District Airport may also be expanded to handle larger, international flights.
Ford and provincial officials have argued that Niagara already has natural tourism appeal with the Falls and wine regions, but visitors tend to stay for short periods of time and therefore spending money is limited.
Whereas if they enhance the entertainment available and hospitality options could encourage longer stays. A greater duration of visit could lead to increased spending on hotels, restaurants, shows and attractions.
The region is aiming to become a tourist destination, not just for a day trip.
How much Ontario Government money will be allocated for specific developments hasn’t been defined yet, despite the strategy being described as “multi-billion dollar” with exact funding details yet to be revealed.
People are ultimately split down the middle, with supporters stating that the strategy could create jobs, diversify tourism beyond natural beauty and bring in more visitors from overseas.
However, critics will argue that it may divert focus from other provincial priorities, ruin the national landscape and affect local communities with radical change.
The plan may hinge on attracting private investment from big casino brands, with no major deals being announced and whether these companies want to get on board still remains to be seen.
