Bolster the economy; travel in the bubble
As I sit at my computer to write this column, I am in the middle of my summer vacation. Like many of my normal activities throughout the year, my decisions around how I will spend my time off has been dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel outside the country is off the table completely because I don’t feel it’s safe now and visiting family in Ontario or Alberta, while much safer, would require a two-week isolation period upon returning so that, too, isn’t feasible this year. I am therefore choosing, like many of my fellow citizens, a staycation here in my home province and will visit some attractions within a day’s drive of home.
While I was really looking forward to seeing some of my family members on the mainland, I am not all that disappointed that my options have been limited to home. There are so many wonderful places close to home to visit and I am struck by the variety of beautiful places and unique experiences that we have nearby. It explains why we usually see so many tourists from all over the world during the summer; we have a lot to offer and should be proud of the tourist infrastructure that has been built in this region over the previous decades. This sector is a major contributor to our economic health.
Having noted this, I am very aware that the aforementioned tourists will not be coming here this year and those who depend upon them for their survival will find themselves in dire financial straits. Unfortunately, some will not make it through this crisis. The money that I spend during my vacation may not represent a huge amount but if enough of us spread our vacation dollars among local businesses, we may have a large enough impact to help them bridge their way to next year when, hopefully, tourists from away will be welcomed back with open arms. As with many things affected by COVID-19, it is local businesses that have borne the brunt of the impact and coming out of the lockdown, it is these local businesses that need our support to recover.
If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that we all need to pull together to get through this crisis and this is especially so when it comes to our local industries. There is an opportunity to become a tourist at home and discover all of the wonders that are to be found right next door. Whether you choose to stay in your own province or decide to check out what’s available in the province next to you, I hope people in this region learn to value and truly appreciate what we already have and support it financially so that it can survive and thrive. You may just find that it will be less stressful than travelling outside the country. It requires less planning and allows for the chance to be spontaneous and just hop in the car and go, and it may prove to be more rewarding for you and your fellow Atlantic Canadians in the long run.