The removal of COVID-19 capacity restrictions is a positive sign for B.C.’s struggling tourism industry, but there is a long way to go on recovery, the industry association says.
B.C.’s 2022 budget continues pandemic support for tourism operators with a $25 million relief fund, but the big jobs ahead are rebuilding B.C.’s tourism workforce and marketing, says Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Association of B.C.
“It’s difficult to say whether $25 million is enough, certainly after last year and what we experienced,” Judas said Feb. 22 after going through Finance Minister Selina Robinson’s budget presentation. “It may not be enough depending on what happens this year. If we revert back to more measures or more restrictions and roll back some of the progress that we’ve made, then most definitely businesses are going to need help, whether it’s the closure of the relief grant or more for the small and medium-sized business recovery grant.”
The B.C….
