The Border Reopens: Mixed Reaction From Aviation and Tourism Industry

The aviation and tourism industry in Canada is pleased that the Canadian border will open to fully vaccinated Americans on August 9, and to others on September 7. But they also say it's not enough to save battered businesses that have endured an 18-month-long pandemic.

"Though we have almost lost the summer travel season, today's announcement provides clarity and timeframes that will allow consumers to plan, and the travel and tourism sector to begin welcoming fully vaccinated foreign travellers once again", said Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada's largest carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet).

"Over the past several weeks carriers have issued updated schedules and have been investing in bringing capacity back on line, to enable a safe restart. The industry will continue to work closely with the federal government over the coming weeks to ensure the successful implementation of the border changes."'

"We still firmly believe the government must take further steps and follow the clear recommendations released by Health Canada's Expert Panel report including lowering quarantine duration for non-vaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers," McNaney said.

The council said Canadian airlines will be ready for August and September.

"But further policy changes will ultimately be needed to support the successful re-start of the industry and the tens of thousands of aviation jobs that have been impacted by the pandemic", McNaney said.

"The measures announced today will greatly facilitate recovery in air travel to Canada over the coming months, and improve the travel experience. It is a testament to the hard work of Canadians to get vaccinated." said Canadian Airports Council President Daniel-Robert Gooch. "While the return of direct international air services to the remaining Canadian airports remains to be confirmed, the steps announced today are important to help our battered visitor economy begin to recover."

The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses said it was happy with Monday's news. But it also noted that "most tourism businesses lost our international travel summer season" and that "this reopening alone will not save many of Canada's businesses in the tourism, travel, hospitality, arts, festivals and events sectors from financial ruin this fall and winter."

"Over the coming months, our industry is facing a perfect storm," the coalition said. "The wage subsidy (CEWS) and fixed costs (CERS) support programs that kept us alive are sharply declining, while business and convention travel remain low, and Canadians think about travel south in the fall and winter. Even with Canada's border open to all fully vaccinated international travellers, Canada's hardest hit businesses need tailored support to stay alive and employing almost two million people."

"Today's announcement is very welcome news. However, at the right time, we need to eliminate the requirement of a PCR test for fully vaccinated travellers as it is not supported by science," said Beth Potter, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. "We also need elected leaders to build public confidence in travel and to understand that tourism businesses are prepared to offer experiences following all of the necessary health and hygiene protocols.

"The tourism economy is ready to welcome visitors back. We look to our governments to shift to this message as things evolve," Potter said.

Destination Canada, which markets Canada to the world, said it' s encouraging tourism businesses across the country "to share information around this next phase of re-opening, so we can all be ready to welcome back visitors first from the US, and then around the world."

"We look forward to welcoming back fully vaccinated American visitors as of August 9, and those from other countries on September 7," the group said. "Together, let's showcase the country we love with glowing hearts."

"Today's announcement is welcome news and a step in the right direction," said Scott Beck, president and CEO of Destination Toronto. "There is no full economic recovery for Toronto until there are once again travellers from our largest visitor market, the U.S. Across every segment - leisure, business, business events, travel trade - the U.S. market is foundational to our success as a destination and our path to recovery as an industry."

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