Key Takeaways:
- Christy Kennedy says Paddlefest and the start of the tourism season would be incomplete without bad weather.
- The lights are only turned on for many tourism businesses in Saint Andrews from May to October, making profitability during that time vital.
Without terrible weather, Christy Kennedy believes Paddlefest and the start of the tourism season would be incomplete.
During the wet Saturday afternoon, Saint Andrews, N.B. company owner, was among the crowd along Water Street, thrilled to see a stir in the seaside village.
“I get information from all the other innkeepers and Airbnb hosts, as well as large hotels, and it’s the same pattern everywhere,” Kennedy, vice-chair of the St. Andrews Tourism Board, said.
The long weekend heralds the commencement of a multi-day music event in town, as well as a new season.
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For many tourism businesses in Saint Andrews, the lights are only turned on from May to October, making profitability during that time-critical.
However, many local businesses continue to function with “Help Wanted” or “Job Postings” signs in their windows.
Even Kennedy admits that getting personnel to work in the kitchen at The Chandler Room has been difficult.
“It’s difficult when visitors arrive in Saint Andrews on a Monday or Tuesday and find that most restaurants are closed due to personnel shortages. Tourists are still present. “As a tourist group, we’re trying to work together to ensure there’s somewhere for some folks to go,” Kennedy said.
Although the season is only beginning, Kennedy said some firms are already working extra to fulfill demand.
“So we’ll be fatigued in October,” Kennedy added, “but it’ll be worth it.”
Though there is a labor shortage in Saint Andrews, the tourism industry in New Brunswick is still experiencing personnel issues.
“It continues to be a challenge for operators throughout the province and, to be honest, across the country,” stated Andrew McNair, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick.
Workers in the industry who lost their employment owing to pandemic shutdowns, according to McNair, left the industry entirely and began new careers in other fields.
“We hear about individuals looking for a job, but we also hear about labor shortages, so it’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation.” “All we’re trying to do is persuade folks that the tourist business is a great place to work,” McNair said.
Source: Global News
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