Coronavirus: Kingston tourism takes an enormous hit, however hopes to bounce again with native help – Kingston

As one of the top tourism destinations in Eastern Ontario, Kingston has been hit hard by the closings and restrictions caused by the US Coronavirus Pandemic.

However, the area’s tourism industry is hoping to see a return to nationwide travel later this year and help from locals to keep them afloat.

“Kingston was identified by the Conference Board of Canada in March as one of the five largest communities in the country to be negatively impacted by COVID. Much of this is due to the fact that 8.7 percent of our workforce is directly involved in accommodation and catering, which is known to be badly affected, ”said Krista LeClair, General Manager of Kingston Accommodation Partners.

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LeClair said many locals have been unemployed and the pandemic has pushed tourism businesses to the limit.

To stay afloat, the tourism industry had to adapt and evolve to more unconventional methods. The use of open outdoor spaces, online tools, and improving delivery services are just a few examples of how these companies are trying to survive.

“Ultimately, a big part of our job is making sure we are paramount in all three levels of government, tourism is paramount, job losses are paramount, and we can keep our businesses alive now and this Survive times, ”said LeClair.

The region’s health officer, along with other regional officials, has pushed the message to support local people during the pandemic, but discouraging travel has been difficult for local hotels and bed and breakfasts, LeClair said.

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Vaccinations and the easing of lockdowns will be key to the recovery of the hospitality industry, she added.

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Some local accommodation owners hope that the pandemic will be more under control during the spring and summer months so they can open their doors to people from Ontario. But some also hope that the locals will show them support.

“First of all, we really hope that it is a staycation mode. When we last opened, a lot of our guests were from the greater Kingston area, ”said Josh O’Brien, co-owner of Secret Garden Bed and Breakfast.

O’Brien is also confident that the province’s tourism tax subsidy will kickstart the struggling sector too.

In December 2020, Minister of Tourism Lisa MacLeod announced the loan that enables a return of 20 percent on every dollar spent on tourism in Ontario. The government has allocated $ 150 million for the loan.

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“It’s a real incentive for Ontarians to get, travel, and enjoy a 20 percent tax break,” said O’Brien.

Local tourism officials and the hospitality industry alike hope the discount will be the icing on the cake for many Ontarians who have been waiting to finally get out of the house and experience all that Kingston has to offer once the restrictions wear off.

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When that will happen is still in the air for now.

– With a file from The Canadian Press

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