Tourism in Niagara: conclusions and solutions

Purpose – This paper aims to present answers to the strategic question: “How should Niagara region respond to the key challenges it faces and find solutions to preserve and develop its tourism industry?” It aims to capture the essence of conclusions of nine papers contributed by 22 Canadian tourism experts to the Worldwide Hospitality And Tourism Themes (WHATT) issue on tourism in the Niagara region, Canada. Design/methodology/approach – The approach of this paper is to integrate all solutions suggested in these nine papers and to seek a succinct response to the strategic question. Findings – While providing a helicopter view of the key challenges of the tourism and hospitality sector in Niagara region, Canada, this paper proposes implementable solutions to those challenges. Using the 2007 WHATT roundtable discussion as the foundation, this paper addresses the some of the most significant issues affecting the Niagara region related to sustainable tourism development, destination marketing, hospitality industry, wine and culinary tourism, special events, gaming industry, crisis management and binational tourism. In conclusion, ten key suggestions are made for the Niagara region or any other tourism destination in the world, which envisions healthy and sustainable growth. Originality/value – This paper provides fresh perspectives on many relevant issues by analysing inputs, viewpoints, comments, and suggestions of many regional experts. Readers with interests in the Niagara region or other key tourism destinations around the world would benefit from this paper.