Tourism industry leaves pandemic behind, faces new challenges
Summer-like temperatures have arrived in Ontario, bringing an added boost to local tourism.
Christopher Bloore, the president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, told CTV News that after two years of restrictions, they are anticipating a strong summer season.
"Businesses are starting to see a big pick up in tourists and customers coming into their businesses, so we’re really encouraged about what’s happening," he said via Skype.
But, Bloore said there are new travel obstacles such as the cost of gas and living that could impact tourism.
He noted that the rising gasoline prices could deter Americans and Canadians from embarking on road trips in Ontario.
"It’s a huge part of our industry, and we have seen some concerning poll numbers about reconsidering plans to do road trips in Ontario because of the cost of fuel."
He encourages Ontario travellers to look at incentives that could help offset fuel prices.
Bloore said one of the ways to both help struggling tourism operators and vacationers is the Staycation Tax Credit.
For example, if a family spends more than $2,000 on a vacation in Ontario, it can receive up to $400, according to Bloore.
"Obviously, that money is designed to go towards your accommodation costs, but if you get $400 to accommodation costs, you can spend that money to go to another attraction."
He noted that he expects four to six per cent of tourism operators were forced to close due to the pandemic.
Bloore thanked the provincial and federal governments for stepping in to help mitigate the damage but credited businesses for their innovation and the support from Ontarians.
"We saw a domestic travel boom during the pandemic with people rediscovering their province."
Now, the industry faces another challenge, and that’s staffing.
Bloore said the industry needs a tourism workforce strategy in Ontario as operators are struggling to find employees.
"In some cases, it means some businesses can’t even open for five or six days a week because they simply don’t have the staff to do so."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NORAD tracking high-altitude surveillance balloon detected over the U.S., Canada says
The Department of National Defence says Canada is working with the United States to protect sensitive information from foreign intelligence threats after a high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected.

Senate passes Liberals' controversial online streaming act with a dozen amendments
Big tech companies that offer online streaming services could soon be required to contribute to Canadian content as a controversial Liberal bill gets one step closer to becoming law.
Migrant workers sneak secret menus into Canadian restaurants to expose exploitation
Hundreds of customers who scan QR codes for restaurant menus across Canada are being surprised by secret menus instead, revealing the hidden costs behind the food they eat.
Woman says Russian Embassy denies her consular services, cites Facebook page
A Russian woman says she has been denied consular services by her country's embassy in Canada over claims her Facebook activity poses a security threat.
opinion | How much rent can you afford?
Many Canadians have continued to see an increase in their rental rates in 2023. In an column on CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains how to calculate how much rent you can afford.
W5 Investigates | Lebanese-Canadian family of 3-year-old killed in Beirut blast still searching for accountability, answers
More than two years after downtown Beirut was levelled by an explosion, a Lebanese-Canadian family of a 3-year-old girl killed in the blast is still searching for answers. Watch W5's documentary 'The Explosion' on CTV at 7 p.m.
Nearly 6 in 10 public transit users say they feel less safe commuting after string of violent attacks
After a string of violent attacks on public transit in Toronto and other cities, a new survey has found that nearly six in 10 public transit users in Canada say they feel less safe or somewhat less safe while commuting.
Why Delissio pizzas and other Nestle products will disappear from Canadian stores
Nestle Canada says it is winding down its frozen meals and pizza business in Canada over the next six months. The four brands that will no longer be sold in the freezer aisle at Canadian grocery stores are Delissio, Stouffer's, Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine.
Would you pay $300 a year for quick access to a nurse? Dealing with demand, Ontario doctors get creative
Paid subscriptions to on-demand care are among the many strategies primary health-care providers in Ontario are adopting in order to meet increased demand for access to doctors in the past year, while also managing staffing shortages.