‘Gigantic, looming query mark’ hanging over summer season tourism season in Windsor-Essex, say operators

WINDSOR, ONT. With the Ontario home stay order stretching for another two weeks at least until early June, the prospect of a summer tourism season in Windsor-Essex is daunting but doable, according to tourism industry insiders.

“We hope for better days in advance, but you need to plan those better days in advance so those days are more hopeful,” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island.

He says the tourism board has spoken to industry stakeholders about how part of their summer program could be achieved. Orr says plans are in place but everything will be put on hold until restrictions are relaxed.

Even so, the border is likely to remain closed to vacation travel for the foreseeable future – meaning tourist options will be limited to regional activities.

“There is plenty to do and see in Windsor-Essex,” says Orr. “And we hope that this summer we can spend the summer of staying here in our own back yard and try to open those borders when it’s safe to do so.”

Given the uncertainty about how long the restrictions will drag on, the operator of Windsor Eats says planning is difficult – and that it could be even more difficult to occupy everything it plans.

“There’s still a huge question mark looming,” says Ciotoli, noting that signature events like his whiskey and beer festivals are unlikely to happen in 2021.

“We expect it, but we firmly believe there will be plenty of outdoor activities, from outdoor hiking to cycling in smaller, more intimate groups,” says Ciotoli. “It’s not necessarily the best we can hope for, but we consider it the most realistic we can hope for.”

Government at all levels says the economy is unlikely to open up until vaccination rates are higher and case numbers are lower.

“We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and clear cases in your community as soon as possible so we can have a one-dose summer and a two-dose fall,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Public health has suggested relaxing the rules when 75 percent of people have one dose and 20 percent two.

Data compiled by CTV shows Canada should achieve this goal by the first week of June if the doses hit as planned.

“If you have a dose of the vaccine inside and you’re outdoors, the chance of transmission actually drops to near zero,” says Dr. Abdu Sharkawy, Infectious Disease Specialist.

The losses and sacrifices these companies have made over the past 15 months are real and damaging, Orr says. With short-term pain looming, the province announced additional aid to the tourism industry to circumvent restrictions.

“They were hit first, the hardest and will take the longest to recover,” said the Minister for Cultural Heritage, Sports, Tourism and Culture. “There were sectors in my ministry that had been closed for over 400 days and had no opportunity to open. You really need our support. “

The province is pledging $ 10,000 to $ 20,000 for eligible travel and tourism businesses such as hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and travel agencies that have not received the Ontario Small Business Support Grant.

“They are there to support the industry at a time when we need them most,” Orr says.