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Travel agencies report complications related to the pandemic are still holding the industry back from returning to near normal operations. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)
Travel Agencies

Meadow Lake travel agency experiencing decline in bookings despite local restrictions being eased

Jul 19, 2021 | 3:38 PM

Despite COVID-19 restrictions being lifted across Saskatchewan, there are still some businesses and industries feeling the effects stemming from the pandemic.

Travel Escapes, Meadow Lake’s local travel agency, is reported to still be suffering the consequences of other countries’ public health measures. Debbie Sheppard, the owner of this establishment, noted when the pandemic originally hit back in 2020, she received many requests from clients to cancel trips or push them back to a later date.

Fast forward to July 2021, she mentioned while she has helped some people re-book their trips, some clients are still requesting cancellations due to other countries’ approach to the public health crisis.

“I’m already getting cancellations, because some of the countries are putting more restrictions on again. Cuba has put on the new restriction in July where you have to quarantine. So, it seems like everything’s still so up in the air,” Sheppard said.

While not all countries are taking the same approach, Sheppard explains her industry is still impacted by some of the measures being taken at home in Canada.

August 9 signifies the day when fully vaccinated American travellers will be allowed to enter Canada. Currently, Canadians returning from travel must not be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and need to meet all of the federal government’s COVID-19 checklist. If these requirements aren’t met, travellers will not be allowed on any flights back into the country.

With travellers being at risk of being declined a flight back home until they can prove they do not have COVID-19, or submit to a 14-day quarantine, Sheppard believes many people are not willing to risk being stranded in a foreign country longer than their requested time.

“I think when Canada lifts restrictions a little more for people coming in, and even ourselves coming back into country, that’s going to be a huge difference. But right now, we’re not sure what can happen. Things can change again by the fall.”

“I have varied degrees of what people are thinking. Some are just more cautious, some are just ready to travel no matter what. They will go through all the protocols and testing that’s required. They feel that if they’re vaccinated, it’s all going to be okay, and they’re going to go ahead and follow through just to get a holiday.”

To help counteract this risk, many travel agencies, including Travel Escapes, are offering a COVID-19 coverage in the case of an individual contracting the virus. There is also some offering the option of an increased period where people can cancel or rebook their travel plans.

“One good thing that companies are doing though to get the business is giving leniency to bookings. Allowing people to be able to change or cancel up to 25 days before departure is a huge peace of mind for people to book and know that you’re not going to lose your money or investment in your holiday.”

With the entire travel industry taking a substantial hit over the last year and a half, Sheppard added the mild increase in business brought in by travellers less concerned by the risks has offered a sign of relief. Many in the industry are hoping this trend continues.

“For travel agents across the country, it’s been a tough go. A lot of companies and agencies have closed because there isn’t anything selling, but it’s the same as the airlines and the whole tourism industry that has been thrown into such chaos. There’s been nothing happening for a whole year, and I think we’re just starting to see a comeback now.”

elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp

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