More Foriegners find the Falls Fantastic

The Saturday of Memorial Day weekend the Falls looked more like the United Nations. I dropped off my group and then parked the Limo Bus. I couldn't park in the main lot (a first, as far as I know), so I had to park on the South end of the island and make my way back to the group. Along the way I saw people from all around the world and from several states.
The Niagara Gazette made note of the large crowds as well:

"Changes in foreign visitors to Niagara
By Don Glynn

Stroll through Prospect Park any day of the week — now that the prime tourist season is under way — and you’ll quickly come to the conclusion that there’s indeed a revolution in tourism.

In the travel industry, they’re known as the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and they’re coming by the bus loads — via the charter flights — to Niagara Falls. At present, it appears visitors from India rank No. 1 of the Big Four.

Not that the natural wonder here has just been discovered by the international set. Foreigners have been a major segment of Niagara tourism for more than a century but the UK no longer leads that list, tourism operators generally agree.

Locally, it’s virtually impossible to track the influx.

A large group from India or China may descend on the state park at any time and they often move swiftly — guided by a tour leader — to a specific attraction or vantage point.

Still, after you’re in the park for a half hour and maybe had a chance to observe the exodus from the Prospect Park tower, you’ll be convinced that some of the 47 million Chinese traveling abroad this year have included the Falls on their itinerary. And visitors from Indian and Pakistan are all around as well.

Of course, there was the credible threat that many Americans had been planning to cut back on their vacations this year because of the high gas prices.

That didn’t happen here, at least over the Memorial Day holiday. In fact, attendance in the state park was up more than 8,000 for the comparable weekend a year ago.

If you check out the license plates in Prospect Park and on Goat Island, you would have found visitors from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Oregon — a lot more than a tankful away.

That combination — foreigners and Americans determined to go on vacation despite the gas prices — provided for a good start to the season.

Meanwhile, hoteliers and bed-and-breakfast operators will tell you that many foreign visitors — even some U.S. citizens who think the new passport regulations are already in effect — are reluctant to cross the international bridges because of the unwarranted concern they won’t be allowed to return.

It’s an ironic twist from the days when visitors couldn’t wait to clear customs because they were always told the view was better from that side."

My words of advice to people who are thinking about visiting Niagara Falls...DO IT! The American side, the Canadian side...the cultural attractions all around--there's plenty to do. Be certain to check out the Falls in a chauffeur driven stretch Limousine or Limo Bus from Buffalo Limousine. It's a great way to see the attractions and have a customized agenda.

Frontier Senior Prom

We had a lot of fun at the Frontier Senior Prom. The day started out sunny and very hot--the group went to the Hyatt Hotel for the dinner and dance. Afterwards we headed for Niagara Falls and a little exploring of Goat Island. We topped-off the evening at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Niagara Guides Now Available

Just in time for Spring, a new Niagara Visitor's Guide is available. The new publication will be given away at key gateway areas to Niagara, as well as through a US-Canadian distribution in newspapers. Here's more on the guide:

“Niagara Seasons” and “Les Saisons” guides highlight Niagara accommodations, Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tours, and so much more! Niagara Falls, ON – April 22, 2008 -Tourism Niagara, a division of Niagara Economic Development Corporation, is delighted to announce that the 2008/2009 edition of “Niagara Seasons” and the 2008/2009 “Les Saisons” are available for visitors looking to experience the best of Niagara Falls, Ontario. The attractive guide highlights Niagara as a destination with experiences that cater to many different interests. The guide has a special emphasis on popular Niagara Falls attractions and services such as the Niagara on the Lake Heritage District and Niagara hotels. The annual visitor guide features articles on topics such as Natural Outdoors with the Welland Canal and Niagara River; Food, Wine & Drink with Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tours; Niagara’s Culture and History; Fun with the Family; and Shopping & Antiquing such as at the Niagara falls outlet mall. This year the magazine’s Festivals and Events section has been expanded with more than 100 events from all of Niagara’s communities.

There are two ways in which you can order a copy of the guide. Call 1-800-263-2988 or contact Gateway Niagara via e-mail at gateway@tourismniagara.com . The publication is free. As always, consider using Buffalo Limousine to take you to all the exciting places and events in Niagara including our winery and scenic tours.

Grady's Bachelorette Party

Life as a chauffeur is always interesting. When you pull up to a client's house, you never know exactly what you're going to find. That's why I was pleasantly surprised to host a group of young ladies who were celebrating the impending marriage of their good friend, 'Grady'.

We started out at a favorite local bar in Kenmore. Then we really accelerated the fun by heading to the Chippewa district in our 10 passenger stretch limousine. There were many highlights including Grady's attempt to ride the mechanical buffalo, as well as the dancing that transpired on top of the bar at the Bucking Buffalo Saloon.
We had a great time and made it home safe and sound. If there was a theme song for the night, it would be "Girls Just Want To Have Fun."

Hillary's Wine Tour

This winery tour was picture perfect, and we have the pictures to prove it. The group was celebrating Hillary's bachelorette party. Friends and family decided that a winery tour aboard a Buffalo Limousine Limo Bus was a great way to travel in style.
We could not have asked for a better day. The sun was out and there were no delays at the border. We targeted wineries along the Lakeshore in the Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) area and were able to visit four of them.

Our first stop was Stone Church Winery. We were able to have a tasting room set aside exclusively for our group. This was a relaxed environment in which we could taste and learn.
Our second stop was the venerable Konzelmann Winery. Hillary was treated to tasting the wine from a special crystal slipper. The staff here were loads of fun and kept our spirits high. The winery is quite picturesque and provides a viewing platform for better appreciation of Lake Ontario. We saw a four- masted schooner on the water, as well as an impressive lake freighter.
Not too far away, the Strewn Winery offers a connoisseur's delight. Strewn is a respected winery cooking school as well as a traditional winery. Strewn offers hands-on winery cooking classes in a beautiful contemporary facility. Our guide took us to the barrel cellar, treating us to a 'behind the scenes' tour of wine making.
The wonderful people at Palatine Hills Estate Winery greeted us at the last stop on our busy tour. For many years Palatine produced grapes, but did not make wine. Now they craft award winning wines and provide grape juice to home brewing enthusiasts.
Then it was back aboard the Limo Bus for the ride home. All the best of luck to Hillary and her sister Aubree in the upcoming months. thank you for choosing Buffalo Limousine for your bachelorette winery tour. I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Friday 13th no Problem for Lancaster Prom

It was extremely hot when we picked-up our group for the Lancaster Central Junior Prom. The pick-up point is so exclusive, so secretive, it isn't on the map! But we found it anyway and had a great time aboard our 20 passenger stretch Hummer.
Before the prom we had a few extra moments so I decided to show the group around the waterfront. Some of our guests had never seen the Naval Park and were impressed by the retired naval ships that are moored there. We met some fishermen and took a moment at the Vietnam Memorial before heading to the prom at the Buffalo Convention Center.

The prom ended at 11:00 PM, and we were loaded by 11:03 PM--and that's exactly when the rain started. A tremendous downpour engulfed downtown. We huddled and assessed our options, deciding to venture on to Niagara Falls despite the rain.
The gamble paid-off, we had a nice view of the Falls and then meandered home. Thank you to the students and parents who chose Buffalo Limousine for their prom transportation.

EA to TO for a most entertaining road trip and birthday party

When I have a birthday party, I'd like to have this group plan it! They really know how to have fun.
The group booked our 18 passenger Limo Bus for an 8 hour trip. When I arrived I was greeted by a thoroughly prepared group who had all the ingredients for a successful party: beverages, food, snacks, cameras, music CDs and pajamas. These people know how to have a good time!


After starting out in East Aurora (EA), we made a few stops in the Chippewa district to pick-up a few more participants. The ladies were sharply dressed in the latest styles. Their hair and make-up was exquisite...turning quite a few heads throughout the evening.
Then it was off to a new and extremely hot night club called Muzik. It is open only on Saturdays and routinely draws more than 5,000 people each week. It occupies the former CNE Horticulture Building. IF you can get in, you'll pay $30 at the door.
Of course getting there was half the fun. We needed several bio-breaks along the QEW where our fancy group made quite a stir. Did I mention this group is prepared? Several of the lady guests brought PJs for the ride home. They were very comfortable for the trip back, puzzling our US Customs Inspector who mentioned that he'd never seen adults in pajamas before, at least not on the job.
We had a great time, especially the brownies that the group brought especially for me. I'm already looking forward to next year's trip. Thanks for choosing Buffalo Limousine!

Why Do So Many Tourists from India visit the Falls?

As a provider of Niagara Falls limousine tours, I've often wondered why so many there are so many Indian visitors to the Falls. Many days I see that visitors from India out number any other ethnic group at Niagara. I'm not complaining, as we welcome any rupees that may come to the region.
Why so many people from India? I think this entry in a blog by an Indian author may help explain:

When you visit Niagara Falls in USA, you will be left to wonder if you have traveled to India. The only tourists I saw there, were Indians. It was like the entire country was there, except may be Rajinikanth and Bal Thackeray. If there were no Indians visiting Niagara Falls in USA, the place wouldn’t have any funds to support itself. It looks like all the native tourists just drive down to Canada to watch Niagara from there. It is said that Niagara is much more beautiful from Canada.

Perhaps it is a mark that a touring Indian wants to make, He wants to say that he has spent his time in America, by visiting a very popular place in the country. He cannot go back home and claim he has seen Yosemite or Colorado springs without being given empty stares, not many people know about those places. But if you say you saw Niagara, then they can definitely relate it to something back home. Your purpose of the trip will be complete, You saw the most popular place (popular to Indians) in USA.

It appears that Niagara is an icon in eyes of many Indians, a place that they must visit when they come to America. Which is no different than what everybody does when on vacation. When I went to DC, I saw the Washington Monument. San Francisco, I went to Alcatraz. These sites 'brand recognition' to us and we flock to them based on an impression.

Back to the Falls, I've had the opportunity to take several groups of Indian origin on tours. I find that their English is very good and their knowledge of American history is better than most yanks. They tend to travel in extended family groups and make decisions based upon consensus. Once the decision is made, there are no questions asked. I sense there is a reverence for parents and grandparents in this culture.

If you're visiting the Falls from India, consider taking a custom tour from Buffalo Limousine. I know you'll have some great stories to tell about the Falls when you return home.