Algoma tourism groups welcome returning U.S. travellers
Algoma's tourism industry is breathing a collective sigh of relief, as they prepare to welcome back American travellers.
On Monday, the federal government announced it was easing border restrictions to allow fully vaccinated U.S. citizens to enter Canada for non-essential travel, beginning next month.
According to the tourism group, Algoma Country, this stands to be a big boost for many tourism operators in the region, who have been without a large portion of their clients for a year and a half.
"They did lose 90 per cent of their American guests overnight," said Rob LaRue of Algoma Country. "So if you can imagine that, losing 90 per cent of your guests, customer base gone, it's difficult to make that revenue up."
LaRue said fly-in fishing and remote outfitters have been hit the hardest by the ongoing land border shutdown.
But with Americans set to return, he said it gives companies more flexibility when it comes to scheduling.
"They weren't sure if they were going to have a season this year, to be honest," LaRue said. "Going into next year, you know, hopefully, as things progress, we keep on this path."
The City of Sault Ste. Marie said easing restrictions at the border is a win for the city's entire hospitality industry, as well.
Travis Anderson, the city's director of tourism, said it will be advertising multiple new attractions to Americans, now that they'll be to return.
One of those is a new mountain biking trail network, with construction set to be complete next month.
"It's a proven destination driver," said Anderson. "We know people will drive long distances to enjoy those trails, so we're really excited to unveil those in August."
American travellers will be able to enter Canada starting Aug. 9.
Meanwhile, the United States has extended its border closure to non-essential entry by Canadians, to Aug. 21.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.