Tourism officials in the north greet end of COVID-19 border restrictions
Northern Ontario tourism officials are breathing a sigh of relief at the announcement that all remaining COVID-19 border restrictions are coming down this week.
While tourism outfitters were able to refocus their marketing on domestic travellers, many in the sector have been sorely missing their American visitors.
With the end of border restrictions, Sault Ste. Marie Tourism Manager Alana Kenopic said the slow recovery and return to normal for the industry could now begin.
“It’s a great day,” Kenopic said.
“Something we’ve been looking forward to for the last couple of years. It’s not lost on us how the restrictions have impaired visitors coming to the city. We’re really looking forward to the opportunity to welcome back our U.S. visitors.”
Laurie Marcil, executive director of Nature & Outdoor Tourism Ontario, said the local industry counts on visitors from the U.S.
“We have over a million visitors from the U.S. that come into northern Ontario every year, pre-pandemic,” said Marcil.
“They spend about $466 million every year. It’s crucial for our northern communities.”
Marcil said tourism businesses have reported millions of dollars in cancelations this past spring. The ArriveCan app, vaccination requirements and random testing at the border were the top three reasons for the cancellations.
Kenopic said while dropping restrictions now is too late to save the summer season, the move provides some stability for the tourism sector, allowing the industry to plan for the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.