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
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.