Vt. tourism season heats up as labor issues persist

STOWE, Vt. (WCAX) – Summer tourism season has started in the Green Mountains, but despite Vermont’s first vaccination rate in the nation and minimal COVID restrictions, ongoing labor shortages are hampering some businesses.

Summer is in full swing in Stowe. Creemees are served, bikers hit the road, and thousands ride on scenic freeways and back roads like Notch Road, which luckily was free of stuck articulated trucks on Wednesday.

“We just wanted to experience this whole natural atmosphere here. There’s a good farm-to-table culture, so we wanted to get some good food, ”said Raphael Togun, who is visiting from Orlando.

While last year’s pandemic restrictions have been putting tourism in its place, Vermont is seeing a great deal of summer optimism now that travel is back up. Mobility data from Google as of July 2 shows traffic in retail and recreation increased by 6% and in state parks by over 100%.

“It seems like a lot of people are coming and exploring the beautiful outdoors,” said Tammy Wilson, who was visiting from New Hampshire.

“It’s amazing because it’s like turning the tap on and people coming,” said Jamie Wolfe, who runs the Golden Eagle Resort in Stowe with Jasmine Queen-Gilbertson. They are back to pre-pandemic bookings and events are picking up again.

“I see a bunch of brides coming out to get married. We also see a lot of family gatherings where people can do something, ”said Queen Gilbertson.

The spate of bookings in Stowe and thousands more in Vermont is being fueled by post-pandemic travel itch, and state officials say a new $ 2 million marketing campaign paid in federal aid will help too. “Lots of different things, like your digital display ads – we also do pre-roll videos on YouTube and Hulu and all these other streaming services,” said Nate Formalarie of Vt. Department of Tourism and Marketing.

Queen Gilbertson says the biggest problem remains finding staff. There has been a labor shortage for years, but many blame the expanded unemployment benefits, lack of affordable childcare and below-average wages. In addition, there is a lack of affordable housing for workers in the Stowe area.

“It was hard. It was very tough here last year and it still is, ”said Vera Lopez from Stowe.

The solution for the work clamp remains unclear. Governor Scott is likely to phase out extended benefits in the fall, and leaders are working to bring more housing units online.

Meanwhile, Wolfe and Queen-Gilbertson say they are making it work by increasing tariffs and wages for employees. “We have to do it. We make a promise to the guests who stay here, and we have to keep that promise, whether we have people who work here or not. “

As busy as this summer is, companies we’ve spoken to say they expect an even busier fall.

Copyright 2021 WCAX. All rights reserved.