Stratford Festival, hotels looking forward to return of U.S. tourists
Businesses in the city of Stratford are looking forward welcoming back U.S. visitors when border restrictions are lifted.
Those restrictions are expected to loosen in August.
Americans play a big part when it comes to the important tourism industry in the festival city, according to staff with The Stratford Festival.
“About 100,000 of the 500,000 tickets that we sell would be to U.S. visitors,” said Anita Gaffney, the executive director of the Stratford Festival.
Stratford Festival staff estimated they lost around $4 million due to pandemic restrictions in 2020.
In 2021, the shows moved outdoors. Staff made an investment, bringing it two large canopies that seat 100 people each.
“We are going to be adding some seats to the canopies in the middle of August," Gaffney said. "That coincides with when U.S. residents, visitors would be able to cross the border."
Gaffney said they are pleased with the decision to reopen the borders to allow American travellers.
“We know that people coming into the country will be required to be vaccinated, and we have course following all the COVID protocols with masking and distancing and touchless service. So we feel very comfortable with our U.S. visitors returning,” said Gaffney.
Hotels in Stratford are also looking forward to it, with some planning to welcome back American guests by mid-August and September.
“We are seeing more and more demand pick up,” said Mackenzie Clemens, the marketing manager at the Bruce Hotel.
Hotel staff ensure it will be a safe space to stay for all guests.
“If we didn’t feel like measures were adequate where we could could ensure their safety, then we wouldn’t be as comfortable in operating so we can’t wait to welcome them back safely,” Clemens said.
Some businesses said welcoming back U.S. visitors will be a big bonus for the tourism industry and will feel like a step closer to a sense of normalcy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.