The steps Travel Manitoba is taking to help the province's tourism industry recover
Travel Manitoba is looking at ways to help the tourism industry in the province, which took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the pandemic, tourism was a $1.6 billion industry in Manitoba; since then, it has lost between 25 per cent and 60 per cent of its revenue.
Travel Manitoba said people choosing to travel within the province is one of the keys to recovery.
It mailed out a 112-page Road Trip Guide that is filled with day trips and overnight staycation options within the province.
“The road trip campaign covers a tremendous amount of the province,” said Colin Ferguson, president and CEO of Travel Manitoba.
“It’s not just A to B, it’s everything in between as well. There are 18 individual road trips. If you have received a guide at home through a direct-mail program, I encourage you to open it up and have a look at it.”
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce also has a Tourism Receipt Incentive Program, or T.R.I.P., which allows Manitobans 18 and over to submit receipts for a paid overnight stay at a Manitoba accommodation.
“Between July 31st and August 16th of this year, (you can get) a rebate of $100 on a hotel stay, or $150 on a pre-arranged stay and play package,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.
“Eligible stays include hotels, motels, B&Bs that are members of the Bed and Breakfast Association, lodges and resorts.”
Davidson said the Chambers want to ensure Manitoba’s tourism industry recovers for the sake of Manitoba businesses, and the benefit of residents.
The Manitoba Tourism Strategy has a target to grow visitor spending by 50 per cent to reach $2.5 billion by the end of 2021.
Travel Manitoba said its focus is on Winnipeggers travelling outside the city, and rural Manitobans travelling to Winnipeg.
It will start including neighbouring provinces as part of the campaign once it’s deemed safe to do so.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
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.
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.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'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.
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.