March Break rakes in dollars for Georgian Bay tourism operators
School-aged children aren't the only ones celebrating their week away from the classrooms this March Break. Tourism operators around Georgian Bay are reaping the rewards of an unrestricted March Break, with many bookings promising to bring in big dollars this week.
For the Blue Mountains, one year has made quite a difference.
According to Andrew Siegwart, the President of the Blue Mountain Village Association, bookings at the ski resort have levelled out to where they were pre-pandemic, making for a manageable but busy March Break.
"We're certainly in a better position than we were during last year's March Break," Siegwart said. "As we saw through large parts last year, international flight delays became a big issue; families here have been saying, 'we want to spend quality time with our friends and family."
That means once they're done hitting the slopes, plenty of shoppers and diners around the village are helping to keep business owners happy.
"We're definitely seeing that influx of tourism dollars," Siegwart said. "That's something being seen for many around Georgian Bay as well."
At Georgian Bay Hotel, family bookings have been coming in strong. It's a bonus for the hotel that sees its peak season during the summer months.
"Anytime the kids are out of school, we have something to celebrate," said Vice President of Operations, Ashleigh Levoy. "We've picked up from last year in terms of a stronger comfort level, more demand, and people are a little bit more comfortable to leave their homes."
The tourism organization, South Georgian Bay Tourism, told CTV News that its operators are seeing similar booking levels to Georgian Bay Hotel this week.
While families have more options this year, the group said it has made bookings more manageable due to the dispersed demand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.