(Facebook/Carrot River)

By Aaron Schulze

Provincial Tourism Relief

Provincial tourism relief could have a ‘large impact’ on small communities like Carrot River

Aug 13, 2020 | 9:00 AM

The Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement of $35 million in relief to tourism operators in the province will be felt in the largest of cities, to the smallest of towns.

The money that will come from the Saskatchewan Tourism Sector Support Program will be for the accommodation sector and large-event facilities, along with attraction and tour operators.

For a small community such as the Town of Carrot River, the tourism industry is described as a year-round dollar.

“It has the potential to have a large impact,” Carrot River’s Community Development Manager Miranda Blaber told northeastNOW. “What’s good for our local businesses is good for our town. There have been businesses that have been significantly hit.”

The Carrot River Inn has seen a decrease in clients and revenue throughout the summer months during the coronavirus pandemic. A reduction in travel has also impacted outfitters and tour guides within the area.

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Since provincial health guidelines closed or limited businesses across Saskatchewan beginning in March, Blaber said some local businesses told her they were experiencing a near 30 per cent reduction in revenue.

However, despite a steep reduction, Blaber said the Carrot River area hasn’t been overly empty.

“We’re seeing a lot of people – who otherwise would be taking their planned vacations going to B.C., the States, and visit family that live throughout the country – we’re seeing those people choosing to stay home,” she said. “It is a lower number in people and revenue. However, it’s still there, which is maintaining it to some degree that businesses are able to function and keep their doors open. How long that goes, we’ll have to wait and see, but at least we are seeing people staying home and trying hard to support local, Saskatchewan people. Especially here in Carrot River; Saskatchewan’s Outback.”

Blaber expects the provincial tourism fund will be able to assist Carrot River’s winter attractions, including hunting and guiding outfits that being in late-fall, and their region in the 1,000 Miles of Snow in northeast Saskatchewan.

While the time when businesses and tourism attractions can resume normally is still unknown, Blaber said there’s been at least one silver lining amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s nice to see our local people supporting what they have in their backyard,” she said. “When we’re able to start moving around more, we’ll be excited to have more people coming. We’re here and we have some unique things to offer.”

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow