A Comment by Stuart MacDonald
This weekend marks the opening ceremonies commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 in our city. How sad that those celebrations are receiving such little attention in the face of a stunt that has brought ridicule to our city.
Media zooms in on high-wire walker Nik Wallenda during recent media scrum in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Photo by Doug Draper
As Stephen Colbert said on his television show this June 13, “[Nic Wallenda] received an exception to the Falls’ no-stunts policy, thanks to the local economy’s sluggishness […] You know a town is in bad shape when they have to create a tourist attraction to attract tourists to their tourist attraction.”
If the tourist industry is sluggish it has little to do with Niagara Falls not having potential. It has everything to do with a mentality that sees a once-in-a-lifetime-stunt as the answer to problems.
This week, the mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Jim Diodati, had to contact the local BIAs (Business Improvement Area associations) to raise money for Mr. Wallenda because his internet money grab was not raising enough money. The death defying walk has been mitigated significantly because ABC Network, the event’s sponsor, insists on a safety harness. Mr. Wallenda didn’t have all this figured out when he whirled into town to convince city and Niagara Parks Commission officials that this whole thing was organised?
Do we really think that this stunt will put Niagara Falls on the map? Really? Aren’t we already on the map? Do you know of anyone who hasn’t heard of the Falls? What were our civic leaders thinking? What will happen is that parking rates will skyrocket for the day; some hoteliers, who already charge exorbitant rates for the quality of accommodation and service provided, complain that people wait to book rooms to the last minute; and what we locals know as the tourist gouge will only get worse this weekend.
Our city doesn’t need stunts. It needs quality attractions, fair prices, and better infrastructure, all of which will make the city attractive to visitors.
Perhaps Colbert is right: this is comedy at its best
Stuart MacDonald is a resident of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
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