Niagara Falls proper is home to just under 80,000 people, and more than 410,000 people reside in the Niagara Region. Government statistics show that the some 14 million people visit Niagara Falls annually. Not surprisingly, the hospitality industry is the region's leading economic contributor, employing some 30,000 people. Other leading industries employment-wise include manufactoring (more than 8000), retail (over 4500), health services (approximately 3000) and professional services (3800 or more). Provincial Sales Tax (PST) in Ontario is 8% on all purchased goods and services. Travelers also encounter the following provincial taxes: 5% on room accommodations, 10% alcoholic beverages, and 8% on restaurant food. In addition, there is a 6% value-added General Services Tax (GST) applied to most goods and services, food, alcohol, and hotel and motel accommodation.

Though there is no international airport on the Niagara Penninsula, major airports are nearby. The closest, Buffalo Niagara International Airport, is in Cheektowaga, New York. This airport is popular with residents of SW Ontario because it offers flights by many major carriers, including Delta, American, Continental and US Air and United, and fares are typically cheaper here than their counterparts in Toronto. Slightly farther away is Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport, a smaller airport that is serviced primarily by Air Canada and often provides traffic relief for the larger airport in Toronto. Toronto Pearson International Airport is over an hour's drive away. It is the primary hub for Air Canada but receives flights from nearly all major international carriers, including Delta, KLM and British. If you're not flying into the region, that means you're traveling by either car or rail. Niagara Falls Station is serviced by VIA Rail, which offers extensive intercity service all over Canada. The Maple Leaf line, which is co-operated by Amtrak and VIA Rail, also stops in NIagara Falls while making regular runs between Toronoto and New York City. Those driving themselves will find the area is easily navigatable thanks to Highway 420, also called Queen Elizabeth Way, which runs west to Hamiliton, where it links with 403 and heads north into Toronto, and east to the Canada-US border and the Peace Bridge.

The best and most efficient way to get from A to B in the Niagara region is by car. If you don't drive your own, it's probably best to arrange a rental. If you plan to hit the wine country or just don't want to drive, check into Niagara Adventures (800-640-8687, www.niagaraadventures.com), which offers scenic, winery and adventure tours. Another company featuring similar packages is Magnificent Tours (888-614-8687, www.magnificentniagarafallstours.com). Public transportation, primarily by way of ten city routes, is available by the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority. Day passes are $4.

The Niagara Falls Review (www.niagarafallsreview.ca) is entrenched as the main daily newspaper for the cities of Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake and has been around in some form or fashion since 1879. Other daily newspapers available in the area include the Hamilton Spectator, St. Catharines Standard, and Toronto's Star and Sun. The Metroland Media Group publishes several popular Canadian weeklies, including Niagara this Week, whose readership reaches from Oakville to Niagara. For coverage of the region's finer pursuits, look to the bi-monthly Niagara Life Magazine, which focuses on local chefs, décor, fashion and health issues.

Since the Niagara Region is one of the most touristed in Ontario, travelers have at their disposal several great local resources that put together and distribute information about what to see and do. Below is the contact information for visitor centers operated by two such organizations. Niagara Falls Tourism 5400 Robinson St Niagara Falls, ON L2G 2A6 Phone 1: 905-356-6061 Phone 2: 800-563-2557 (Toll Free) Fax: 905-356-5567 Website: www.niagarafallstourism.com Tourism Niagara 3550 Schmon Pkwy, 2nd Floor P.O. Box 1042 Phone 1: 905-984-3626 Phone 2: 800-263-2988 (Toll Free) Fax: 905-688-5907 Website: www.tourismniagara.com

Tipping for services rendered is customary. The standard tip is 15%, more for exemplary service (this includes restaurant servers, taxi drivers, etc).