Canada’s travel, tourism and agency stakeholders have responded unanimously to the federal government’s Wednesday advisory that Canadians should avoid non-essential travel - again.
For an industry just beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel, the 15DEC statement by Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos that, “Now is not the time to travel,” in response to the new Omicron variant, is a devastating blow.
Ottawa’s advice encompasses international travel, but Duclos left the door open for provincial premiers to consider domestic travel restrictions as well.
The advisory took effect immediately and is set to last four weeks, when it will be reassessed. While not an actual travel ban, the government recommendation comes as many Canadians were planning on travelling over the holidays.
Furthermore, Duclos’ ministerial colleagues also warned Wednesday that other border restrictions may be imposed on returning Canadians. That could include measures like reinstating a requirement for a PCR test for travellers outside of Canada for more than 72 hours.
The industry response was swift - and furious - with The Star calling the “travel sector livid,” as, according to reports, cancellations are already flooding in.
Global News quotes Air Transport Association of Canada CEO John McKenna saying that “thousands” of travellers have already cancelled their bookings. He also predicted that cancelling international flights would have a spin-off effect on connecting domestic flights, too.
It’s not the virus itself motivating pax, he claims. “They’re cancelling because they don’t know what to expect when they come back.”
The spectre of Canadians unable to return to Canada during previous lockdowns is the real fear, according to McKenna, who added, “I think they’re more afraid of the bureaucracy than of Omicron.”
“Yep, people are afraid of the rules more than the variant… the ever changing rules are the problem,” Marianne Vogel, owner of Just For You Travel in Dundas, Ontario, posted in a comment on the Open Jaw web site.
Her comment revealed the industry’s worst fears about the Omicron wave and Ottawa’s new advisory are coming true. “This is going to be devastating for the travel industry… I have a large group for February already cancelling and anyone who was thinking about booking in early 2022, has already called to say they will not travel anymore.”
Voicing the concerns of many advisors and agency owners, she asked, “How much more are we going to be able to take?
“Now what?”
WestJet CEO Harry Taylor predicted the “unnecessary disruption and chaos” caused by the advisory would be “devastating to the continued economic recovery of the country and place tens of thousands of recently recalled Canadian travel and tourism jobs at risk.”
Reuters reports that, prior to the government announcement, the airline had expected about two-thirds of pre-pandemic holiday traffic this year.
In condemning ““travel bans, restrictions and blanket advisories,” WestJet’s Taylor said, “Fully vaccinated Canadians should not be singled out for choosing to take part in a safe activity.”
They’re making decisions that only benefit the Prime Minister’s buddies in the health care industry. There is no basis for the advisory or any new restrictions. The three day before entering covid test is a farce, You can get the a test and then go to concert. They should change that t a day before rapid antigen. It will be more useful. There are no numbers showing that canadians are returning from places with covid. It’s just another step to scare Canadians into compliance which this government enjoys doing so they can keep control.
This is, once again, Ottawa pandering to the USA and Snowbirds that drive to sunny states, most of whom don’t have any Covid protocols in place, while punishing the Caribbean Islands and Mexico, where Covid Protocols are being followed stringently, as well as Tour Operators, Airlines and Travel Agents.
I think our Government needs to give their head a shake and get the data that is readily available to them, instead of worrying about treading on the powerful toes of States like Florida. This nonsense decision needs to be withdrawn, or perhaps even exclude all North American destinations, which includes Mexico and the Caribbean.