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Winnipeg Free Press
31-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Extremely challenging' start to summer tourism season
Manitoba entrepreneurs fleeing wildfires share a similar question: will my business be standing when I return? Evacuations are occurring as the summer tourism season ramps up. For some, it's their largest or only money-making period. At least 80 tourism assets have been affected by wildfires, per Travel Manitoba tracking data. 'Flin Flon, we rely on tourism all summer long,' said Dawn Hlady, speaking by phone while driving to a hotel in Saskatoon. SUPPLIED Wildfires burn this week near Wanless, north of The Pas, in western Manitoba. According to the Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association, eight of its members have been affected by fires, but none 'have been lost.' Hlady owns Big Island Drive-In, an outdoor cinema in the city of Flin Flon, some 800 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. The attraction typically opens in May and closes in October. The first two weekends this year were hits, Hlady relayed. Roughly 700 people came out — Manitobans from all corners — to watch A Minecraft Movie on the May holiday long weekend. Flin Flon residents have since been ordered to evacuate; they're among more than 17,000 Manitobans told to leave their northern communities. Hlady, like her neighbours, is unsure when she'll return or what she'll return to. Big Island Drive-In sits within a forest. 'There's a big risk of losing it,' Hlady said, voice heavy with emotion. 'We hope that it's still standing in some sort of way or another.' It's a hope Joe Buie shares as he thinks of the Flin Flon Station Museum. He's chairman of the hub, which was converted from the city's original train station. 'We're at the edge of town. The forest is just right there,' Buie said, describing the location. The museum opens in the summer and welcomes locals and international visitors. It shares a campground with the Blueberry Jam music festival. 'A lot of our history is located in this museum,' Buie said. 'A lot of it can't be replaced.' Board members plan to open the doors upon their return home. But that's a later concern; for now, Buie has been focused on his family, ensuring everyone arrives safely in Brandon. Hlady, too, was separated from loved ones — her husband stayed in Flin Flon on Friday afternoon to feed first responders. The couple owns a Chicken Chef franchise. 'The situation is obviously extremely challenging,' said Chuck Davidson, president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. 'It's challenging for residents that have to leave their homes and hopefully they're coming home to a house — and it's the same for business owners.' From a private-sector perspective, there's lost revenue to grapple with and employees temporarily without jobs, Davidson noted. He mentioned Jasper, Alta.: many entrepreneurs lost their businesses, or faced new debt, following a 2024 blaze. Travel Manitoba has reviewed its social media pages and marketing to ensure it isn't directing people to wildfire-ravaged areas, said Linda Whitfield, vice-president of communications and stakeholder engagement. She's talked with a tourism operator who's lost 'tens of thousands' of dollars in business as unsafe conditions led to cancelled bookings. 'Think of those areas once this has been dealt with and we're back to a safe situation,' Whitfield said. 'Those tourism operators will definitely need the help and need the support.' The Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association has been keeping tabs on its membership. Around eight companies have been affected by wildfires — largely in the Whiteshell and Nopiming regions, executive director Don Lamont said. 'As far as we know, none (of the lodges) have been lost, none have been burnt down,' he said. 'It's an ongoing situation, very fluid.' He's checked on entrepreneurs in Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage and Clearwater Lake. Anglers have booked fishing trips; following the province's state of emergency declaration Wednesday, many reservations were cancelled. 'It's a very scary situation and a lot of our outfitters are at risk,' Lamont said. '(And) it's a big loss. This is on top of what happened for two years of COVID (pandemic).' Owners are keeping customers updated about their lodges' status. There's still plenty of demand from American tourists, Lamont and Whitfield noted. And there's a need to remind tourists Manitoba is safe for travel in many areas, Whitfield said. 'Oftentimes, what happens is there's … this general perception that, 'Well, all of Manitoba is on fire.'' She's heard such comments when other provinces, like British Columbia, have faced wildfire emergencies. 'We don't want people to forget about places like Riding Mountain National Park, for example, or Spruce Woods,' Whitfield said. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Several businesses outside wildfire zones have been supporting evacuees, including providing free activities and space for camper vans. The Lakeview Inn in Lac du Bonnet collected donations — such as clothes and cases of bottled water — for local evacuees earlier this month. Nearby organizations did the same, according to Lakewood Inn manager Julianna Abdilla. The Lakeview Inn ran out of space for donations. It's forwarding hand-outs to women's shelters and non-profits. 'I've just seen the community come together so fast,' Abdilla said. 'I'm very proud to live here and work here.' Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
28-04-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
U.S. anglers, hunters wonder whether they are still welcome
Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge has long lured American tourists with its unique fly-in fishing adventures. But recently, fewer are biting. 'We had our best sales month in January and in March, ever, and we had a pretty good month in February, too; things were looking really good,' co-owner Pit Turenne said, referring to bookings for the upcoming fishing season. 'Since the tariffs came in April, it's been pretty quiet.' While U.S. President Donald Trump's headline-grabbing comments about Canada becoming the 51st state didn't seem to deter American travellers, economic forces appear to be having a more profound impact. 'Travel spending and those luxury expenses are the first things to get cut,' Turenne said, adding some Americans have been calling and emailing to see whether they'll be welcome. 'We've had a lot of calls from our guests that come up here apologizing and saying, 'We still like you, do you still like us? Can we still come?' Tongue-in-cheek stuff like that,' he said. In some cases, customers have booked, expressing a desire to get away from the 'circus' at home for a few weeks this summer. 'There's also this sort of escapist tourism from some of these groups just hoping to get out of there,' he said. 'It's interesting. It's not a normal booking cycle, I guess.' While fishing season is near, the province's hunting outfitters are early in their off-season and haven't felt the weight of the current political climate. Paul Conchatre, who owns Birdtail Waterfowl, a hunting lodge business, is answering a steady stream of calls. 'We're still getting a ton of inquiries, and it hasn't changed from last year to this year; it's kind of on par,' Conchatre said. Related Articles Province ends subsidy for direct flights to L.A., Atlanta Peace Garden reminds travellers its visitors needn't cross border City urged to chase American tourism dollars Revving Manitoba's promotional engine Manitoba traffic down at Emerson-Pembina border, U.S. tourism officials nervous Manitoba traffic to North Dakota takes hit due to trade war, rising Canadian patriotism Caught in the cross-border crossfire: Manitoba expats anxious, angry, confused Near-century-old border symbol of peace, friendship caught in middle of Canada-U.S. trade war Before the tariff talks and subsequent implementation, Conchatre said the number of inquiries was above average, although it has slowed slightly since March. 'But I'd say there's a lot of interaction from guests, just feeling out the temperature, the environment,' he said. 'A lot of it, I'm finding, is they're not on board with what is happening and there is a lot of empathy for us and Canadian business. 'They're glad they're still coming, but it's more of a check in to see how we feel. Are we mad at them?' Those calls are entirely new territory for him. 'I laugh,' he said, adding that the strife isn't between regular Americans and Canadians, but rather the two governments. Angela Cassie, Travel Manitoba's chief operating officer, said there isn't much evidence that bookings are being disproportionately affected, but the questions are similar to what others are getting: will we be welcome? 'Our message… is, 'Absolutely,'' Cassie said. Economic Development Winnipeg reported that U.S. auto trips to Canada dropped by 7.9 per cent in February compared to the same time in 2024. In Winnipeg, American visitors account for 25 per cent of all tourism spending, officials told city council last week. Despite geopolitical unease, a recent Probe Research poll showed 86 per cent of Winnipeggers agree residents should continue to warmly welcome American travellers. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. That sentiment stretches beyond the city, Cassie added, pointing to the economic importance of fishing tourism. 'From an economic perspective, fishing is a huge growth market for us, and a lot of our fishing comes from Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa, and also as far as Texas and California,' she said. As Travel Manitoba continues its U.S. marketing efforts, it's also pivoting to attract more Canadians who might be rethinking their traditional trips south. 'We're not keeping our eye off the ball to the south, we're continuing to market there… and maintaining a really high visibility there,' she said. 'But also trying to see is there opportunity in Alberta, in Ontario, to attract more anglers looking for Canadian locations.' Scott BilleckReporter Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade's worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. Read more about Scott. Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
07-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Tourism Manitoba gets $4.5M funding boost to promote province as travel destination
Social Sharing The Manitoba government is giving Tourism Manitoba an additional $4.5 million to promote the province as a travel destination for locals and Canadian tourists across the country looking for a vacation spot closer to home. "Manitoba has so much to offer," says Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy. "I encourage everyone to take the time to discover or rediscover the incredible experiences available right here in our province." The Monday announcement at Qaumajuq at the Winnipeg Art Gallery comes as some Canadian tourists are looking to avoid travelling south after United States President Donald Trump's "51st state" comments and fitful tariffs on Canadian goods started earlier this year. In February, when Trump's tariffs first went into effect, U.S. border data shows the number of Canadians returning to Manitoba from neighbouring North Dakota and Minnesota by car dropped by 18 per cent compared to last year. Border crossings that month reached lows not seen since travel restrictions loosened after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Slowed cross-border traffic could be a boon for the local tourism economy as Canadians swap U.S. travel plans for staycations and boycott American goods. Manitoba's tourism industry contributes $373 million in provincial tax revenues and employs more than 25,000 people, says Travel Manitoba's president and CEO Colin Ferguson. "We are so pleased that this government recognizes the importance of tourism and the role it plays in our province's economic well-being," says Ferguson, adding he thinks the announcement is a great way to kick off National Tourism Week. He says tourism is a "powerful economic multiplier" that brings in revenue to help fund health care, infrastructure and education. In 2023, 10.4 million visitors spent $1.82 billion dollars in Manitoba, the province said in a press release. Ten per cent of the new funding —- $450,000 —- has been earmarked for Indigenous Tourism Manitoba to promote Indigenous experiences and highlight the more than 170 Indigenous tourism businesses across the province. Indigenous Tourism Manitoba CEO Holly Courchene says the growing industry "continues to be a powerful pathway to reconciliation." Tourism "offers the potential to change perspectives; preserve culture, languages and traditions; and empower Indigenous communities to lead economic development," Courchene says. "Manitoba is home to many authentic and meaningful Indigenous experiences and this funding will help us support their growth and showcase them to the world." Kennedy says the tourism industry is a "cornerstone" of the province's economy and cultural landscape. "Tourism is about more than just numbers, it's about people, places and experiences that make Manitoba unique," Kennedy says.
CBC
29-03-2025
- CBC
Travel Manitoba hoping for local spring break boost, amid recent anti-American sentiment
Social Sharing With the start of spring break this weekend, some Manitoba families are taking a hard look at their travel plans in light of the ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States. "People are recognizing that they are in charge of where they spend travel dollars and people are making a conscious decision," said Linda Whitfield, communications vice president at Travel Manitoba. Spring break has generally been a popular time for local tourism, given how short the school break is, compared to summer vacation, for instance. But with a rise in the cost of living, including gas prices, Whitfield said more Manitobans have been searching in recent years for a "close to home getaway" that might offer a better bargain. Now the ongoing trade war between Canada and the U.S., paired with threats of annexation, is also playing a role in driving a surge for local travel. "They want to buy not just Canadian, but local, and that means supporting Manitoba tourism," Whitfield said. While the agency will have to wait until after spring break to determine if there was a surge in travel this year, Whitfield said Travel Manitoba has seen more people asking for local tourism alternatives. "On our socials, 'spring break' is one of our most popular searches … it is probably only second to fall suppers," she added. At Winnipeg Richardson International Airport on Friday, some travellers said they're keeping the U.S. out of their travel plans for the time being. Martin Entz, who is travelling to Ottawa for a family birthday, said his family is showing their displeasure over the ongoing situation in the U.S. by staying away from it. "We will avoid the U.S. as long as they represent an existential threat to our sovereignty," he said. Shannon Petrie said she has also crossed the U.S. off any future itineraries. "I just don't want to support the U.S. economy," she said. "I don't want to be supporting the U.S. at any time soon." Petrie and Entz aren't the only Canadian residents cutting back on visits to the United States. Data released by Statistics Canada early in March shows that the number of return trips among Canadians travelling by car to the U.S. declined significantly in February, down 23 per cent compared with a year earlier. Return trips made by air also dropped a smidge, declining 2.4 per cent on a yearly basis. Latest numbers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection show a similar picture, with a 18 per cent drop in the number of travellers driving from Canada into North Dakota and Minnesota in February compared to the same month last year.
