But John Tory, leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party, figures it's enough to entice the many of the millions of so-called day trippers mulling a visit to Niagara Falls this summer to grab the kids and hop in the car.

In a visit to Niagara Falls last Thursday, Tory repeated his call for the provincial government to immediately suspend the provincial sales tax on Ontario hotels and attractions this summer to give the province's beleaguered tourism industry a much-needed boost.

The tourism sector is bracing for a tough summer, fearing many of the millions of day trippers -- those who live within a short drive of Niagara -- may decide to stay home this year because of the soaring price of gas, the high Canadian dollar and confusion over whether new U.S. rules require a passport to cross back into the United States.

Removing the provincial sales tax until Labour Day would save a family of four staying at the Great Wolf Lodge for the weekend, with visits to nearby attractions such as Marineland and the IMAX theatre, about $55, Tory said. A couple staying at the Inn on the Twenty would save nearly $40, he said.

Tory introduced the idea about two months ago, but said Premier Dalton McGuinty dismissed the idea.

"We're very disappointed Mr. McGuinty hasn't taken it seriously," he said. "Tourism is so vital to the whole region, and particularly Niagara Falls."

Tory said removing the tax will help the thousands of Niagara residents who work in Niagara Falls' tourism industry and small- and medium-sized tourism businesses for which the summer months can be a make-or-break season. It will also allow Ontario families that work hard all year a much-deserved vacation to Niagara by making up for the massive increase in fuel prices, he said.

Tory said the provincial Liberals have relied on "feel good" advertising that has done nothing to reverse the fact many Americans are staying home.

"I don't think it will fill one hotel room or get one person in the IMAX," he said.

He said Niagara Falls Tourism is forecasting that the number of day trippers to Niagara Falls will drop three to five per cent this summer -- a worrisome figure when you consider U.S. visitors typically make up 60 per cent of the 14 million or so visitors to the city each summer. Tory said that number is now down to 50 per cent.

While he cited the "good news" in Niagara Falls, including the planned new convention centre and the many new hotel projects underway or approved, Tory said with U.S. visitation to Ontario down overall and something must be don.

"Many jobs have been lost," he said. "They (province) have done nothing. It's a prescription for an economic train wreck."

Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci backed Tory's call for the tax break, saying anything that gets more visitors here will help. He said he's optimistic 2008 will be a healthy tourism year in the city, noting the fact developers and banks are pouring millions of dollars into the hotel projects is a vote of confidence in the sector's health.