U.S. tourism sector eager to see Canadians return

It’s not just Canadians who are excited about taking a leisure trip south of the border.

An American tourism group is eager to welcome back its northern neighbours as well.

“We have got some very optimistic and excited business owners that are very much willing and ready to welcome back, safely, Canadians to our community,” said Stephanie Schoenrock, executive director of Visit Minot.

Twenty months ago, the Canada-U.S. border was closed to non-essential travel due to COVID-19. While fully vaccinated Americans have been allowed back in Canada since August, Monday is when fully vaccinated Canadians can head south.

“It has definitely been felt. I mean, obviously these businesses are feeling the impact of the pandemic … and then of course, it has been compounded by the border being closed. So there’s no question businesses have felt a difference,” Schoenrock said.

In that time, Schoenrock says her community has seen drastic changes, adding various new attractions, from new exhibits at the zoo to new restaurants and spots for a night out.

“Canadian tourism for Minot has always been a big deal … that has fluctuated depending on the dollar and the value of that,” she said, adding hotel rooms can still be found for under $100.

She expects there to be a lot of “pent-up demand” for people to travel and spend money. However, she realizes people want to do so safely.

Schoenrock says many are asking her questions about public health precautions, like whether masking is still widespread. She said people should feel comfortable taking steps to protect themselves from the virus.

“It’s not a majority of people but it is not out of the ordinary at all. So if the comfort level is to wear them, absolutely. Everybody should do that if that’s what they need to do,” she said.

Canada still requires all travellers over the age of five to provide a negative COVID-19 test regardless of their citizenship or vaccination status.

The costs of those tests can be more than $100. However, Schoenrock said PCR testing is being offered for free. She only advises people to plan their travel so they can get their results before returning to Canada.

“Of course if you’re travelling here, you’re going to be vaccinated. And we do have very good vaccination rates locally so hopefully Canadians are feeling comfortable by coming down,” she said.