Arctic Canada: Yukon tourism operators brace for impact of COVID-19 this summer
Tourism operators in Yukon are bracing for a bad season this summer because of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, and cancelled cruises, and they’re asking for government help to soften the financial blow.
“What we think would be really helpful is a stimulus package of at least $2.5 million,” said Blake Rogers, executive director of the Tourism Industry Association of Yukon.
“It’s not a time to panic, it’s definitely a time to be concerned. We are concerned about how deep the hole could be, and that’s why we’re making the requests that we are — to make sure operators feel safe for the season.”
Yukon typically sees thousands of international visitors every summer, many of them passengers from Alaskan cruises.
The tourism association surveyed some of its members this week, to ask them what they’re expecting this year. The association said about 50 operators responded, and confirmed that things are looking tough — direct losses may be around $2 million.
“At this point, the medium and long-term projections are reporting declines of about 25 to 30 per cent overall, with some seeing a drop in bookings as much as 50 per cent,” reads a news release from the association.
Neil Hartling of the association said things are changing fast. He said even last weekend, many operators were feeling confident, despite the growing spread of the coronavirus elsewhere.
“This scenario is changing now by the hour,” Hartling said.
Hartling said Yukon’s tourism industry has faced similar uncertainty a handful of times in the past. For example, after 9/11, the SARS epidemic, and the financial crisis of 2008. He said his own business survived each of those, but it was “challenging.”
“Each one had a significant negative effect on tourism, and took good recovery time,” Hartling said.
He urged fledgling tourism operators in Yukon to “stick to fundamentals” right now.
“Know your numbers, and have plans A, B, C, D,” he said.
The tourism association is also urging Yukoners to consider travelling closer to home this year, and supporting local businesses.
“This is your year to explore your Yukon. There was never a better time,” Hartling said.
With files from Christine Genier
Related stories from around the North:
Arctic: Roundup of COVID-19 responses around the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Canada: Arctic Winter Games: ‘We will sell everything as best we can,’ say organizers after cancellation, CBC News
Finland: Finland’s first coronavirus case confirmed in Lapland, Yle News
Greenland: COVID-19: Arctic science expedition postpones flight campaign after trainee tests positive for virus, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway cancels NATO Arctic military exercise due to coronavirus outbreak, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Coronavirus: Russia hints it might close its border with Norway, Finland, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Concern over coronavirus outbreak impacts tourism in northern Europe and Arctic Russia, The Independent Barents Observer
