Gas price hike has some Manitoba tourism communities concerned
A hike in gas prices is causing concern for Manitoba communities that rely on tourism.
Another jump at the pump saw prices hit $1.87 per litre at many stations in Winnipeg on Friday.
“I’m spending $100 a week on gas because I commute and there’s no way around it," said Ned Valcich, who was filling his tank in Winnipeg.
The gas prices have some people rethinking their summer road trips, which is a worrying thought for the family-owned Beach Boy Restaurant in Gimli.
"It’s extremely important for everyone, not only for us," said Lucia Makiaris, an owner of the restaurant. "People here survive – the small businesses – with tourists really. In the wintertime, there’s not much going on and everything is almost closed. Everybody waits for springtime to open in the busy months of the summer.”
Businesses in the Interlake have faced tourism challenges before.
Aaron’s on the Lake, a bed and breakfast in Winnipeg Beach, had almost all of its bookings cancelled when the pandemic first hit — but the season was saved when the push to vacation locally hit.
"Local Manitobans started coming out and supporting us and then they would go home and tell neighbours and friends so then they would come out and stay with us," said Eleanore McMahon, an owner of the bed and breakfast. "So we really did have a silver lining.”
Unlike the bed and breakfast, which already has a good number of bookings for the season, the local shops and restaurants don’t know what business will be like.
Though it is a worry, many are keeping a positive attitude, choosing to believe gas prices will encourage travellers to pick locations closer to home rather than deter them from making the trip altogether.
"It’s the closest beach to Winnipeg. I'm sure a lot of people find us a short distance to be able to come out at least to the beaches like Winnipeg Beach, Gimli and all the closest places. We’re hoping," Makiaris said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.