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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.