NIAGARA FALLS, ON - Niagara Falls is Western New York and southern Ontario's natural tourist attraction. But the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario has its mind set on two tourists in particular; England's future King and Queen, Prince William and his bride-to-be, Kate Middleton. After their spring wedding they're planning a trip to Canada.
"We couldn't think of a more natural place than the honeymoon capital of the world to make a trip," said Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati.
Diodati and the city council sent a letter to Buckingham Palace inviting the royal couple to the Falls.
The mayor thinks back to 1991 when Prince William and his brother Harry visited the falls with their mother, Princess Diana.
"It created just a media spectacle and this is a message that went around the world," he said.
And it's that message the mayor and city council think would create a buzz, putting Niagara Falls front and center.
"We want people thinking about us and I think people will say, if it's good enough for the Royals, let's take a trip to Niagara Falls," said Diodati.
Businesses we talked to loved the idea. Especially since some say less people seem to be showing up lately.
"There are not as many Americans that come over," said Jaime Lister, a manager at one of the shops in Niagara Falls.
She says it's because of the beefed-up security at the border.
"It's just that added requirement they have to come across that's definitely had a negative impact on numbers," said Chris Waterhouse, manager of the Great Canadian Midway.
Some businesses are ahead of the game already. Prince William and some of his family members are already standing in one of the wax museums there.
For honeymooners Jason and Maria Gaulke, they offered the royal couple this advice;
"Come on over," said Jason. "It's a good time."
"Everything has been a lot of fun," said Maria.
They're words the city hopes woo a future king and his bride to the honeymoon capital of the world.
The city wrote William and Kate before their Canadian trip was made public. Buckingham Palace returned a letter thanking the city but offered no promises. The city has since written a follow-up letter applauding the couple's decision to tour Canada and offered another invite.
For a look at other royal and presidential visits to Niagara Falls, check out Josh Boose's blog.