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'Grateful' tourism operators reopening

'We’re excited to operate, but there are new hoops that we have to keep jumping through to be safe, and those all have a cost'
20200608 voyageur quest algonquin log cabins
John Langford is booking reservations for cabins and cottages at Voyageur Quest Algonquin Log Cabin on the northwest corner of Algonquin Park after the province lifted the restriction Thursday on short-term rentals. Supplied Photo

John Langford booked his first reservation Friday, the first day that short-term rentals were permitted at lodges, cabins, and bed and breakfasts.

Langford, who owns Voyageur Quest Algonquin Log Cabin on the northwest corner of Algonquin Park, says he’s glad to be getting back to normal. 

“I can’t tell you how grateful we are,” he says. “You start to worry about things like cash flow. It’s tough. We employ up to 20 people and we only have three people with us. When these things (the announcement) happen, it’s encouraging.

“With all the sadness and issues out there, it’s nice to have some good news.” 

Like many tourism-based businesses, Langford says he's lost the international and school market due to the closure of his cabins and the borders during COVID-19. 

But Langford says his phone started ringing Monday with people looking to book for later this summer in anticipation of the province's announcement, which came Thursday.

“This has been almost three months without income,” he says. “It means we can start getting back to having some income and hiring some people.”

Langford says his cabins and cottages are spread out enough to allow for social distancing, but admits it will hurt his business not being able to book groups larger than five people.

“We’re really hoping that that’s the next step soon,” he says.

“It’s a whole new way of operating that we’ve been planning for and about to unfold. We’re excited to operate, but there are new hoops that we have to keep jumping through to be safe, and those all have a cost.” 

Langford believes the entire economy benefits when tourism reopens.

“Tourism is the backbone of Ontario, especially in the North,” he says. “All across Northern Ontario, tourism has been stopped in its tracks. It’s a really important part of our economy.

After a few preparations this weekend, Jeff Chalkley hopes to open Chalkley’s Sandy Bay Cottage Resort in Callander next week.

Chalkley calls Thursday's announcement a relief. The summer represents 70 per cent of his annual income and he's already booked up for the season, having to cancel reservations thus far due to COVID-19 restrictions.

While it's possible to social distance at the cottages, Chalkley admits there are challenges such as the beachfront area and restricting children from playing together. 

He admits he’s also concerned with the number of customers coming from the GTA, which has a greater number of COVID-19 cases. 

For new business owners, Rick Calhoun and Dharmesh Patel, Thursday's announcement means they can finally open for the first time.

Calhoun owns the Top of Algonquin Bed and Breakfast in Mattawa while Patel took over the Two Rivers Motel in Mattawa in March.

Calhoun’s business was open for less than a year when he was forced to close. He says he was anxious to reopen and so were his guests. 

Calhoun says he started to receive reservations almost immediately after the announcement and even has some booked for this weekend. 

Despite losing a number of international bookings, as well as the cancellation of events in the area, Calhoun says he’s confident many Ontarians and Canadians will travel to northern Ontario. 

“I think it’s the outdoor opportunities are what attract people to northern Ontario.” 

While Patel says it’s great to finally be able to reopen and start his business, he admits he still has concerns. 

“We don’t know who has it (COVID-19),” he says. “I’m taking a risk; it’s hard because I’m a new business owner.

“I’m suffering; it’s hard to pay bills.” 

Mackenzie Casalino is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.



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