Wildfires hitting Canada’s tourism sector as travellers cancel summer plans
Global News
Raging wildfires and smoky skies across much of Canada have put a damper on travel this summer, resulting in cancelled plans and closed businesses.
Raging wildfires and smoky skies across much of Canada have put a damper on travel this summer, resulting in cancelled plans and closed businesses.
“We have had a few conversations with our members and we’re already seeing domestic and international visitors cancelling trips,” said Madison Simmons with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
Simmons pointed to a 2018 study by Visit California, which found that during the state’s most destructive wildfire season on record, 11 per cent of potential travellers cancelled their trips to the state, representing a loss of about $20 million that July.
The Ontario tourism group released a study last month suggesting leisure travel in the province was set to grow after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
Simmons said businesses in the northern part of the province, particularly outfitters and outdoor tours, are most affected.
The wildfires are adding to challenges posed by high gas prices and border delays, she added.
“We’re still facing a cost-of-living and cost-of-travel issue. It’ll put a further strain on tourism insurance.”
Canada’s travel and tourism industry was set to almost fully recover from the pandemic this year, the World Travel and Tourism Council said in mid-May.
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