Ontario’s Sunset Country Travel Association is looking to find more ways to support area tourist camps as the season is in jeopardy of being a complete loss this year.
Executive Director Gerry Cariou says it’s understandable but unfortunate that COVID-19 has shuttered the Canada/U.S. border.
Cariou says we are skewed to servicing an American clientele and the main industry here responsible for most of the tourism revenue is in the form of fishing and hunting lodges.
He stresses the only option for area tourism outfitters right now is a $40,000 loan which he believes doesn’t make good business sense since there are no potential revenues this season.
Cariou says “The uncertainty is probably the biggest problem. The government has done some work on relief. The Federal government has done a good job, I would commend them for some of what they have done. I wouldn’t commend the Ontario government for really anything its done.”
He calls the provincial effort to support outfitters “abysmal”.
