Montreal Biz Leaders, Midwest U.S. States Push for Open Border

Montreal Biz Leaders, Midwest U.S. States Push for Open Border

July 14, 2021 ctn_admin

Business leaders from Montréal and the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable are asking the federal government to re-open Canada to fully vaccinated international travellers. A group of midwestern U.S. states made the same demand today (July 14).

“With the second consecutive summer travel season now officially in jeopardy, time is ticking for Montréal businesses,” the Montreal group said.

In a normal year, Montréal welcomes more than 11 million visitors, generating nearly $5 billion in revenue for the city. As a result of the pandemic, the number of international visitors to Montréal in 2020 decreased by 94% year over year, and the city experienced its lowest hotel occupancy rate ever of around 15%.

“Local Montréal businesses rely heavily on international tourism. In the summer of 2019, more than four million international tourists arrived at the Montréal Trudeau Airport. Prior to the start of the pandemic, international tourism to Montréal was growing at a rate of 10% annually.”

“Though we applaud the recent easing of certain restrictions for Canadians travelling internationally, fully vaccinated foreign travellers are still unable to visit Canada, and this is leaving a devastating impact on local business,” the group said.

“Canadians have been rushing in droves to get vaccinated – breaking records nearly every day. Montréalers have been doing their part too; over 70% of the city’s residents have received a first dose of the vaccine. The federal government should be rewarding this effort with clear guidance on what re-opening looks like.”

“Montréal businesses have been waiting to welcome international tourists with open arms. Removing the quarantine requirements for Canadians without allowing fully vaccinated international travellers into Canada has essentially created a one-way travel corridor that disadvantages local tourism and Montréal’s local businesses,” said Yves Lalumiere, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.

South of the border, a coalition of frustrated legislators from across the U.S. Midwest is formally asking the White House and Canada’s federal government to reopen the border to fully vaccinated travellers, Canadian Press reports.

The Midwestern Legislative Conference, an offshoot of the U.S. Council of State Governments, passed a formal resolution at its annual meeting today calling on both federal governments to take immediate action.