News Round Up
Samples of tourism media coverage from around BC:
B.C. Hotels See Shaky Future, Hope Locals Fill in for Missing Tourists This Summer
While B.C. is permitting hotels to re-open in June, the large conventions, festivals, weddings, concerts, sporting events and marquee attractions that would attract people to travel in the first place aren’t going to be allowed any time soon. As well, casinos and certain spa activities like indoor pools are also closed.Two of Metro Vancouver’s largest casino resorts — Parq Vancouver and River Rock — said in statements they are waiting on further guidelines from the province before considering reopening plans.
“There’s so many moving parts at present it is really hard to predict, but really all we have to go on for the foreseeable future is domestic tourism,” said Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Association of B.C.
Vancouver Airport Lays off 25% of Employees
The Vancouver Airport Authority says it must begin immediate layoffs of at least one quarter of its staff following a projected downturn in the number of expected travellers over the next three years. In a statement issued Monday, the authority said it is forecasting a decline in the number of travellers of between eight million and 15 million. Previous years had seen up to 26 million people travelling through the terminals on Richmond's Sea Island.
Vancouver Island's Tourism Industry Faces an Especially Long Road to Recovery
Paul Nursey, the CEO of Destination Greater Victoria, says the Island's tourism industry was the first to be affected by the COVID-19-induced slump, and will likely be the last to fully recover.
His group is working on an 18-month plan through to next summer that aims to keep as much of the industry intact as possible, including reaching out for more government support and assistance.
B.C.'s Tourist Destinations Waiting for All-clear on Reopening to Visitors
Some Salt Spring Islanders want to get the all-clear from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry before they welcome visitors this summer. A Hornby Islander can’t wait until tourists return, and Tofino’s mayor says visitors should hold off until at least June.
Communities that depend on tourist income are divided about when and even if visitors should return this summer.
Tourism Operators Left to Wrestle With B.C.'s COVID-19 Reopening Plan
BC tourism operators being crushed by COVID-19 are hopeful but confused about how the critical summer season will unfold after the province unveiled its plan to reopen the economy on Wednesday. Premier John Horgan announced
BC’s phased action plan
to lift some of its COVID-19 restrictions around the economy, schools and health services starting mid-May. Premier Horgan made clear that residents and visitors should continue to stay home and not travel from their communities during the upcoming May long weekend unless it was essential. Following the announcement, tourism operators said they are getting mixed messages, and are worried and unsure about how to proceed.
Tourism, Accommodation Industry Reeling from Coronavirus COVID-19 Lock Down
Tourism in the West Kootenays is in lock down mode as the region’s tourism organization continues to deliver the message in a COVID-19 virus world for visitors to stay out. Although the region’s accommodators are reeling — with accommodation rates hovering between zero to 14% capacity — the message of not to travel here has not wavered since late March. In fact, even if accommodators do survive the current COVID-19 climate, they face a predicted 60% reduction in tourism business when the industry is free to operate.
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