The executive director of the Calgary Hotel Association stated that Stampede’s occupancy rate was only around 50% this week.
During a normal Stampede week, the hotel’s occupancy rate is approximately 90%. This year, they sat halfway. Compared with the 10% in May, there is a big increase, but it is far from reaching the expected level.
Sol Zia, Executive Director of the Calgary Hotel Association, said: “We are fortunate to be able to stand out with a score of 60% in these 10 days.”
“We hope to reach 60%. We know we will invest 50%.
“Hope more people come in because they see how safe and exciting Stampede is.”
The New Democrats and the Calgary Hotel Association are now calling for an extension of hotel tax relief.
In April last year, the provincial government told hotel operators that they could keep the usual 4% tourist tax. The relief agreement ended at the end of June.
The Kenny government allows Alberta hotels to retain tourist taxes to help the industry respond to the pandemic
“If our hotels can retain and invest the 4% tourist tax when guest income becomes meaningful, we can ensure that more hotels survive, and then we can re-employ as much of the lost labor as possible,” Qi Ya said.
At a press conference on Sunday morning, the New Democratic Party MLA Sarah Hoffman stated that the next few months will be critical to the success of the hotel.
“If passed, (the tax cut) will give Alberta hotels and other accommodation providers some time to regain their footing and allow them to spend more money on marketing and promotions as we try to attract travelers back. .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta hotels face the “tragic reality” of permanent closure
The general manager and vice president of Hotel Arts Group stated that they have hired about one-third of their employees from 2019.
Mark Wilson said that most tourists now come from Western Canada.
He said: “The province’s lifting of restrictions on COVID is the main driving force at the moment.”
“The other major driving factor in Calgary is the decision to host Stampede this year.”
The head of the Calgary Hotel Association stated that it is of utmost importance to welcome international travelers back to Canada.
Relaxed COVID-19 travel rules facilitate visits to Canada – but half of them are still turned away
Fully vaccinated Canadian citizens and permanent residents no longer need to be isolated for 14 days after arrival, but fully vaccinated international tourists have not yet been allowed to enter the country.
“We are very happy and excited. As a city, we may see a 50% occupancy rate during the Cowboy Festival. It was through Albertans and regional travelers from other provinces flocking here to attend Stampede,” Qi Ya said.
“But, of course, if there is no international travel and the reopening of borders, 50% is enough.
“Our response is clear: reopen the border, encourage travel, and reopen international travel.”
An Alberta government spokesperson said the province is considering extending the tourist tax relief.
The government estimates that the year-long tax relief has saved hoteliers approximately US$33 million.
Justin Brattinga, press secretary to Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Employment, Economy and Innovation, said: “The Alberta government has allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to support small businesses through the pandemic. Including multi-billion dollar extensions.”
“In the latest round of restart grants, we ensure that all hotels receive an additional $10,000.
“Thanks to our province’s leading national vaccination program, the greatest outdoor show on the planet is being staged, and hotel rooms in Calgary are crowded with people.”
COVID-19: The event department pays close attention to the Calgary Stampede to see if it is safe to hold a mass gathering
Brattinga said: “The Alberta government will continue to pressure the federal government to remove restrictions on international travelers so that our tourism industry and the tens of thousands of people who rely on tourism can recover.”
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