According to a Destination Niagara Image Survey conducted in 2008 there is a lack of knowledge of or appreciation for Niagara beyond the Falls and visitors to our area perceive that the Niagara region is weak for interesting towns, recreation, agritourism and the food and wine experience.
The study also identifies a peculiar “before and after” effect in that once people visit and are exposed to Niagara their perception of our area is much higher than those who have never visited. The dilemma once again seems to be that while we locals all know what we got no one else seems to know about it.
The Destination Niagara report goes further to say that it works better when we all crow together. The study concludes that the opportunity for building longer stays in Niagara is by “coalescing fragmented efforts, focusing image and getting travelers to become aware of all the other experiences/activities that comprise Niagara Canada.”
One of the first critical steps to achieving this goal was the 2010 formation of a unified Regional Tourism Organization to manage tourism in Niagara.
The Tourism Partnership of Niagara (TPN) is a non-profit industry led organization funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS). The TPN's sub-regional partners include: Niagara Falls Tourism, Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake, City of St. Catharines Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Twenty Valley Tourism Association and Niagara’s South Coast Tourism Association.
The objective of this tourism partnership is to 'enhance and grow a highly competitive tourism region through visitor-centric strategies and by developing a compelling leisure destination brand that strengthens Niagara’s reputation as a world-renowned travel destination.' https://attractionsontario.ca/attraction-listings/the-tourism-partnership-of-niagara/
A big part of the tourism development challenge is to ensure that all of Niagara’s visitor attractions including those offered here in the Town of Pelham and the City of Welland are included in the Niagara storybook.
Local promotion programs have a tremendous impact on community development. In addition to the obvious economic benefits of supporting the growth of and attracting new businesses and jobs to our community there are other less tangible—but equally important payoffs.
A well planned community marketing strategy improves the quality of life as Niagara residents and visitors alike are able to take better advantage of local services and attractions. It also promotes community pride, which grows as more and more people work together to develop a thriving Niagara economy.
