NL Gazette

N.L. hotel proprietors and tourism operators optimistic after travel limitations reduced

Nfld and Labrador

Key takeaways: 

  • However, some tourism operators are asking for improved help.
  • Clarah Germain, director of the rooms Unit at the Alt Hotel in downtown St. John’s, tells the eased rules for fully-vaccinated tourists are “excellent news for Newfoundland.”

Travel constraints relaxed in Newfoundland and Labrador: 

Tourism operators in Newfoundland and Labrador decide that the region’s relaxed travel rules significantly support the struggling industry, but several wonders if it will be enough.

As of Saturday, fully-vaccinated travelers no longer have to quarantine upon arrival to the region; however, they still have to accept a rapid COVID-19 test every day for five days after they come.

“It’s fantastic news for us; it’s wonderful news for Newfoundland,” stated Clarah Germain, the director of the rooms unit in the Alt Hotel in downtown St. John’s. Source – cbc.ca

Germain said the action would raise the number of business travelers arriving in the region. She told me business travelers usually don’t stay for very long, so even a brief isolation time is a significant barrier to that clientele. 

“It’s going to be a tremendous benefit not to have to do that. And we’re remaining safe because we have the rapid testing and some rules in place.” Source – cbc.ca

Read more: The Labrador Sea maintains the world’s oceans alive

Travel restrictions in Newfoundland and Labrador relaxed

Future still doubtful states tourism operator

But for tourism operators who don’t deal with business tourists.

“People don’t rely on reducing it,” stated Ed English of Linkum Tours in Corner Brook, a firm that operates two lighthouse inns as well as a string of boat tours. Source – cbc.ca

“It relaxes, it tightens, it arrives, it goes.… Travelers don’t know what the future is going to be.” Source – cbc.ca

English told the previous summer, his inns were just at 20 percent of their average occupancy, and he stated he’s now getting revocations for tours that were first reserved two years ago.

“We’re not going to heal that type of business,” he stated. Source – cbc.ca

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