Lots of regional tourism business owners and supporters are rallying in Vermilion Bay today.
It’s estimated over 200 people have come out to the Tourism Matters Rally today to help see more support from the government for the tourism industry.
Owner and Operator of Sunset Country Adventures and Organizer Steve Smith says they want both levels of government to hear that they need support.
Smith says there have been bailouts for other businesses and it seems their industry has been forgotten.
He also says the only supports they currently have available is a $40,000 loan with interest which would be hard to pay with no income from the camps and support for employee wages, but if they are not open then they don’t need to worry about wages.
Smith says they hope they would see some sort of stimulus just to help with their fixed cost for hydro, mortgage, insurance and more.
He also says he doesn’t expect the US border to be open anytime soon for good reason, so that’s why they are looking to the Provincial and Federal Governments for more assistance.
Smith also says Tourism is a very important industry for our region and plays an important role for other businesses in the region as well.
Crystal Lake Campground Owner Robin Gagne says most of his customer base isn’t even from the United States, but they are also seeing losses as well.
He says many of his customers are European who are obviously not visiting at the moment, but most of his customers are Canadians.
Gagne says there hasn’t been as much travel between provinces which plays a huge role in the number of customers they have.
Big turnout at the Tourism Matters Rally in Vermilion Bay! pic.twitter.com/pp9PiLkMJH
— CKDR News (@ckdrnews) June 13, 2020
