Tourism industry suffering as Saskatoon, Regina airports not allowed to accept American travellers
The federal government’s decision to open only select airports to U.S. travellers beginning Aug. 9 has left some Saskatoon businesses on the sidelines.
“We’re surprised that we don’t have a point of entry from the U.S. which is one of our major markets when it comes to tourism but also to trade and export,” said Stephanie Clovechok, CEO of Tourism Saskatoon.
As the calendar flips closer to fall and winter, the peak of hunting and fishing season in Saskatchewan, Clovechok said she hopes Transport Canada adds Saskatoon and Regina to the list.
“Hunting and fishing is primarily the greatest concern given that we’re two months away from the season opening and that’s pretty impactful for Saskatoon given that the majority of passengers will travel into Saskatoon and stay a night at one of our hotels,” she said.
She also said summer leisure travel will take a hit.
'PENT UP DEMAND'
International flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton.
In an email to CTV News Transport Canada said the selection of these airports was based on factors “including the short-term operational capacities of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Border Service Agency, the volumes of passengers and the capacity of these airports to act as relief valves to the four major airports.
“Consideration will be given to adding additional airports in the future as conditions dictate; that is: based on demand, operational capacity, the epidemiological situation in Canada and recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency,” Transport Canada said.
Jaime Milton said her company, UniGlobe International, has seen a steady increase in business since June when the province announced restrictions would expire July 11.
“Our number of travel inquiries are back to pre-pandemic levels, although bookings are lagging a little bit behind as there is still some hesitancy and uncertainty regarding future travel restrictions,” Milton said.
“There is definitely a pent up demand for travel and we are seeing some peak travel dates already starting to fill up.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.