Tourism association “caught off guard” by US travel advisory for Canada – Terrace Standard

Canada’s tourism and hotel associations say they have been caught off guard and disappointed by the US government’s decision to step up its travel advisory for Canada.

The US State Department on Monday urged Americans to “reconsider” travel to Canada by setting the travel advisory at level 3, after just a three-week period when Canada was at level 2 with the land border open to travelers. US citizens and permanent residents.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada says the move will further hurt the country’s tourism sector, especially ahead of Labor Day weekend, the first public holiday on which Americans can cross the land border.

“It wasn’t on our radar,” said Beth Potter, TIAC President and CEO.

“It is as if businesses are being fired again when they are already down.”

The Hotel Association of Canada said it was disappointed that the United States was discouraging travel to Canada, saying hotels and the events industry will continue to bear the brunt of the economic impact of COVID-19 during many months to come.

“Our current data shows that hotels are still performing over 40% below industry standards on average, and that will only make matters worse,” said Susie Grynol, President and CEO of HAC, in a press release.

“Limited international tourism, combined with the fact that there are no major conventions or festivals and business travel is limited, means Canadian hotels will face eight more months, like the sixteen last. “

However, Flight Center spokeswoman Allison Wallace said the fact that the United States has only issued a travel advisory with no increased restrictions means there will be no significant effect. on travel.

She said the notice would not even have implications for travel insurance, which is already affected by the fact that COVID-19 is a known risk.

“The pent-up demand is evident both for people looking to get away from it all and for those looking to see family / friends who live across the border,” Wallace said.

“Unless a restriction is put in place, we expect Americans who were planning to travel to Canada in the near future will continue with their plans.”

Wallace and Potter say the question now is how long it will take the United States to lower its rating and when Canadians will be allowed to travel south across the land border.

Vaccinated Americans have been allowed to enter Canada via the land border without quarantine since August 9, although Canadians are still unable to cross the land border into the United States.

Wallace also said the tourism industry will monitor whether the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases will have any effect on the Canadian government’s plans to reopen to international travelers vaccinated on September 7.

Salmaan Farooqui, The Canadian Press

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