GRIMSBY GATEWAY NOW A DOOR TO WAR OF 1812

The Niagara Tourism Information Centre in Grimsby does a brisk business of selling the region to visitors coming through the bustling stop at the intersection of Casablanca Blvd and the QEW. It will have a new feature starting this week, a display of the ongoing War of 1812 celebrations.

“Our numbers have been very strong this year,” states Susan Morin of Tourism Excellence Niagara, the organization that manages the information centre. “We have several hundred people a day looking for information and suggestions of how to get the most out of their visit. Our staff directs them to points of interest, books hotel rooms and sells tickets to many attractions throughout Niagara. We are getting a high volume of requests about the War of 1812 celebrations so we contacted the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council to see how we could get more information to the travelling public. We now have a great display and we will also have people dressed in period costume to generate interest and share information about upcoming War of 1812 events.”

Brian Merrett, CEO of the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council, is pleased to have the 1812 display at such a high profile location. “Our main goal is to market the bicentennial and increase heritage tourism. Niagara boasts close to 10 battles, three forts and a Cultural Capital of Canada designation in 2012. This location will help inform visitors about key celebrations as they are coming into Niagara,” states Merrett.

The Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council is a cross-border not-for-profit organization established to commemorate the War of 1812 and celebrate the 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States. http://www.discover1812.com.  Tourism Excellence Niagara provides tourism information services in the Niagara region.
Please join us for a photo-op on Thursday, August 16, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the Grimsby Gateway Centre. (424 South Service Road Grimsby) If you cannot attend and would like to receive a high-res photo afterwards, please contact Katie Farr.