Operators of Tourism of the Harvest hopes for the boom in the summer stay

Local tourism operators are anticipating more business this summer, since the Canadians oppose travel south of the border.

In the wake of commercial tensions between Canada and the United States, SortTaycations are growing in popularity. Many Canadian travelers are avoiding or canceling trips to American states and instead are closer to summer holiday plans at home.

A boutique hotel chain in Ontario is already noticing that round.

“Our statistics are projecting that we will have our best summer ever,” said Meghan James, general manager of the Inn Inn in Calabogie, ont.

The position of 11 rooms, immersed in the Ottawa valley, has been in circulation for four years. Almost a year ago, the owners opened a second inn in a historic house of the century in Collingwood, Ontario. – A city north of Toronto.

Over the past 30 days, James said, both properties have recorded a 100 % increase in reservations compared to the same period last year. For the most part, those reservations are made by the Canadians.

“I love the fact that the Canadians are doing a very Canadian thing and deciding only to support clubs and remain local,” he said.

Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, listened to similar relationships on an increase in the first reservations from other actors in the sector. But he said it is too early to say if the numbers that some hotels are seeing will reflect in Ontario given the potential for greater economic and political uncertainty.

“While we see the first indicators that local and Canadian trips stay close to the home will be strong for the market, there are still some concerns on the horizon and I think consumers are waiting to see what will happen,” he said.

Early booking boom for some companies

For companies such as Somewhere Inn, the first indicators are still a welcome sign.

“It’s quite exciting,” said James. “Not only for business, but also for our communities that will certainly benefit from the injection of tourists and travelers and locals who want to remain more local this year”.

Scott Clément said that an increase in tourism is not something that he and his brothers, Rachel and Nick Clément, expected when the president of the United States Donald Trump threatened Canada for the first time with rates and annexes.

The Cléments have Breathe Vacation Rentals, a short -term property management company that serves Ontario and Western Quebec, and Sandbanks Vacations, a tour operator in the county of Prince Edoardo, Ontario.

Throughout their business area, they manage about 150 properties individually owned, including some cottages at the East Lake Shores Resort near Sandbans Provincial Park.

Scott said reservations at the resort increased by 87 % compared to last year.

“At the beginning of March he just started taking off,” he explained. “We had and -milizing people who ensured that we were a Canadian company they were booking with.”

For us, it’s the elbows for politics … but we must remain open weapons.– Andrew Siegwart, president and CEO of the Association of the Ostare Tourism Industry

Ottawa tourism also noticed the change in the attitudes of the Canadians against, however this has not yet led to more reserves for city trips.

“The question if the Canadians are transforming their travel intentions to reservations is still something that remains to be seen,” said Catherine Calloring, vice -president of destination development at Ottawa Tourism.

Siegwart said they are expected while people are waiting to see how US rates influence their pocket books.

“I guess families could hold back travel decisions until they find out what happens with their sectors and employers.”

Elbows and ‘open weapons’

Despite the economic and political uncertainties, Ottawa Tourism hopes that marketing efforts allow him to benefit from more domestic tourism.

Ottawa generally receives about 9.8 million visitors per year, according to callus. About 90 % of those travelers come from other parts in Canada.

“There are many different tactics that we can use to encourage travel to Ottawa and we will continue to do it during the summer,” said Callo.

This includes continue to welcome us travelers.

The Tourm Industry Association of Ontario encourages this approach. He wants Canadian tour operators to remain hospitable for visitors, from anywhere in the world.

“For us, it’s the elbows for politics,” Siegwart said. “But we have to stay the arms open.”