Tourism, cultural operators supportive of new travel restrictions

For staff in P.E.I.’s tourism and cultural sectors, news of the reimposition of travel restrictions after a summer of bubbling did not come as a huge surprise.

Corryn Clemence, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. said Monday’s news of the two-week freeze of the Atlantic bubble had been predicted for local operators.

"It's one of those disappointing setbacks. But in the name of health and wellbeing, we certainly understand," Clemence said.

Tourism operators were thrown somewhat of a lifeline during the summer months with the introduction of the Atlantic travel bubble. But the number of visitors was a fraction of what has been seen in recent years.

Although overnight stays of tourists are certainly lower than in winter months, travel for family visits and sports tournaments still does bring much-needed revenue to local hotels and restaurants.

“We see thousands of room nights through the winter months from sport tourism and those tournaments. So, that will certainly be a hit to them," Clemence said.

But Clemence said the low counts of COVID19 cases in P.E.I. are fundamentally good for business.

"We have the luxury of still being operational where we're starting to see some shut-downs elsewhere," Clemence said.

"The silver lining in all of it is that Islanders can still get out and enjoy everything that our operators have to offer, and we're not in a lockdown. And I think our operators have done a good job to adjust to the safety measures."

Clemence’s comments were echoed by the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce.

In a media statement issued on Monday, chamber CEO Penny Walsh-McGuire said she was supportive of the decision to impose mandatory 14-day self-isolation for Atlantic travellers entering P.E.I. for at least the next two weeks.

“This temporary closure of the P.E.I. border is a layer of precaution that will allow our business community to continue to operate and to avoid entering the full lockdown situations we see in other parts of Canada,” Walsh-McGuire said in a statement.

“The chamber encourages Islanders to continue to support local businesses and feel confident and safe to shop in their community.”

During a media briefing earlier in the day, Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.’s chief public health officer, said local retailers and restaurants have put in place operational plans to reduce the possibilities of transmission of the virus.

She said the new travel restrictions over the coming weeks can allow Islanders to shop locally in a safe manner.

“This is our hope that we can maintain things as best we can within this province,” Morrison said Monday.

She also warned Islanders to keep their social circles small and to wear masks in indoor public settings.

Rob Oakie, executive director of Music P.E.I., also reacted with resignation to the news of the new travel restrictions. He said he understood and supported the reasons behind the measures. However, he said the restrictions on travel have taken a further bite out of the livelihoods of touring musicians.

"It definitely has a negative impact. But you gotta do what you gotta do," Oakie said.