Major investments to help Canadian destinations lure more local travellers. A look at what parts of the world are reopening first. And a note about Monday openings for both the Florida Keys and the U.S. Virgin Islands. My Future of Travel Post, weekend edition.
INVESTING IN CANADIAN TOURISM AND LOCAL TRAVEL
WIth borders to other countries closed, and travel difficult even between provinces, the Canadian government has announced roughly $71 million in funding to support local tourism across the country.
Melanie Joly, the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages in Ottawa, said in a news wire release today that the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) will receive $30 million in funding to provide financial relief to destination marketing organizations (DMOs) across southern Ontario that have experienced significant revenue shortfalls.
Another $7.6 million was announced for Northern Ontario tourism and individual projects, a spokesman for the minister told me.
Joly’s office also announced $30 million for Destination Canada, which usually markets Canada to foreign visitors but will instead focus some attention on keeping Canadians home to bump up the tourism economy this summer.
The aim is to provide a valuable lifeline to the struggling sector during its peak summer season, Ben Cowan-Dewar, chairman of Destination Canada, said in the statement.
Finally, there was another $3.45 million announced for Western Canada tourism. It’s not much, but the minister’s office told me there are more announcements to come.
“This is the first word, not the last word,” the spokesman said.
Joly’s office said the $30 million for southern Ontario will help destination marketing agencies (DMO’s, which “are critical to the fabric of local tourism sectors in communities across the region.
“The funding delivered by TIAO will support southern Ontario’s 66 DMOs to drive visitors back into local communities as the economy reopens. This, in turn will help generate new revenue for tourism dependent SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises) and help local economic recovery in communities across the region,” the statement says.
“(The pandemic has been) devastating to our plans for this year from a marketing perspective,” Minto Schneider, CEO of Explore Waterloo, told the Toronto Star. “It is such great news that the federal government is stepping up to help us.”
“The tourism sector is vital to the economic fabric of southern Ontario and has suffered tremendously by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to deliver this fund in partnership with FedDev Ontario, to support destination marketing organizations during these difficult times and to continue to promote tourism in communities across southern Ontario,” said Beth Potter, TIAO’s president and CEO.
Pelee Island Winery is a short bike ride or walk from the ferry dock. Pelee Island is a tremendous spot to visit in Southwest Ontario. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
The release from Joly’s office says the southern Ontario money will be divided based on population, but I also see a report from CP24 that says Tourism Toronto will receive a little shy of $8 million. Toronto Mayor John Tory said the money is a big shot in the arm for the city’s tourism industry, which employs thousands of workers, often in low-to-moderately paid jobs.
WIth many foreign borders closed, and with some Canadian provinces still not allowing out-of-province guests (click here for a solid CBC story on provincial borders), this is a move that makes perfect sense.
TOURISM REOPENING CHART: WHO’S LEADING THE WAY?
San Leo is another stately hilltop town in Emilia-Romagna. PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM EMILIA-ROMAGNA
I stumbled on this great chart today, which shows which areas of the world are likely to be open for tourism sooner versus later. WARNING: It’s not great for those of us in North America.
The story shows confidence in early opening is highest (by a long shot) in the Middle East, followed by Asia/Pacific and then Europe. This makes a lot of sense, as the Middle East appears to have done quite, as have New Zealand and Australia and some parts of Asia, including Vietnam. Some European countries had big problems but are easing travel restrictions soon, including Italy, Spain and Greece.
MONDAY, MONDAY: JUNE 1 REOPENING FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Pull up a chair at Pines and Palms Resort in Islamorada and enjoy a fine Florida sunset. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I’m not going to be heading south anytime soon, but I’m happy to see that two lovely destinations I’ve been able to visit, the Florida Keys and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are only a few hours from re-opening. Officials in both places say they’ll fling the doors open tomorrow, June 1, although with safety protocols such as physical distancing and other measures to combat the coronavirus.
Key West is one of the goofiest, most enjoyable places in the U.S., with tons of great bars and restaurants and a very-friendly attitude towards the LGBTQ community. I always enjoy my visits there, but I probably gravitate more to quiet spots such as Islamorada. I had a great visit at the Pines and Palms Resort in Islamorada couple years ago.
My wife and I had a fab visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands maybe nine years ago. St. Thomas was great, but I preferred the laid-back attitudes on St. John (most of which is a national park) and St. Croix.
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