Page 72 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - February 2023 Edition

72 Niagara Falls, ON, Rips-Off Tourists!

A look at the sneaky fees

at Canada's biggest tourist
spot that some call 'a total

cash grab'

Continued from Page 71

Ching opposes fees that could be
construed as taxes, and is concerned by
front-line staff providing false
information.

"I would say this is very problematic," he

said.

The server at Milestones was upfront
about the Luxury Fee.

"I always joke that it should be called the
BS instead of the LF," she told independently operated locations in change
Marketplace journalists posing as Niagara Falls. Longtime Niagara Falls Mayor Jim
tourists. She described the fees as
Diodati says businesses should be
"insulting because the prices are jacked The Radisson said its four per cent resort transparent and inform customers about
up in tourist areas everywhere already." fee is on the low end comparable to its the fees before purchase, and explain
competitors and goes toward amenities what they're for.
Government has promised action guests can enjoy while staying at its
before property, not an environmental fee as Ministry investigations can begin with
Marketplace was told. complaints from consumers, but there is

The Ontario government has allowed no indication the provincial government
destination marketing fees in tourist The company said it's working with staff plans to investigate or engage in
communities since 2004. Multiple to ensure the messaging is clear moving enforcement.
communities adopted such fees, forward.
including Niagara Falls. Diodati is calling on the province to use
In 2017, Ontario's then-Tourism Minister its powers to "investigate to find out first
The city also now collects the MAT from Eleanor McMahon told Marketplace: "If of all if it's allowed, if it's legal, and the
certain hotel stays. The money collected businesses in Niagara are not being question is if it's a good idea."

funds tourist initiatives in the city. transparent and they're not telling people
what the fee is used for, then not only am He does defend the addition of fees at

But the fees being added are in addition I concerned about that, then we'll engage these businesses, however, especially
to the MAT. and do something about it." with the devastating impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic across the tourism
They are not designed to be collected by And yet there is no indication the sector.
a third party, like a tourism authority. government took any action.
They are solely another revenue stream Though he acknowledges that restaurants
for the businesses that collect them, Marketplace shared its latest findings and attractions could take a different
according to Thomson. with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, approach, including by increasing the
Culture and Sport and asked if it would cost of their rooms, meals and entry
While hotels do show the added fees investigate how the fees are marketed and prices, rather than tacking on fees many
when a reservation is made, the collected. Instead, it directed us to tourists don't understand.

Marketplace visits found some Ontario's Ministry of Public and Business
restaurants do not provide notice of the Service Delivery, which said businesses Diodati has advice for tourists.
fees on menus or signs. cannot misrepresent consumer fees as
taxes, and any misrepresentation about "I always tell people, first off, make sure
Marketplace reached out to all 12 the purpose of a fee may be considered in [it's] buyer beware, and if it's on a hotel
establishments we visited. violation of the Consumer Protection Act. bill, you should have received an email

confirmation. You should have read it,
The parent companies of Days Inn, The ministry also said any corporation right? Do your diligence, do your

Milestones, Embassy Suites and convicted of an offence could be fined up homework, right?"
Starbucks sent us statements, saying they to $250,000.
don't control the pricing, and charging And if it's not on the bill, he says, "well
those extra fees is unique to the City can't force companies to then you don't have to pay it." []