Poor economy clipping the wings of Alberta's winter travellers
Edmonton AM | CBC News | Posted: November 17, 2015 5:30 PM | Last Updated: November 17, 2015
Opting for a ‘staycation’ this winter? You're not alone.
The struggling oilpatch and a low Canadian dollar have put a chill on the annual exodus of Albertans taking refuge in sunnier climes.
"It's certainly affecting us a lot more than it's affecting other provinces," said Nikola Berube, director of sales and marketing for the Alberta Motor Association. "It's a bit of a domino effect."
Berube added that while getaway tourism is thriving in other western regions, it's struggling in Alberta.
Locals, who haven't completely called off their winter travel plans, are choosing to vacation closer to home, said Berube during a Tuesday morning interview with Edmonton AM radio host Mark Connolly.
"A lot of people are holding off. They're still uncertain about where the dollar is going to go, what their job security is like and maybe they're expecting some last-minute deals."
Berube said travel companies are "getting nervous" about the downward trend, and have started offering new incentives on tickets and getaway packages.
And with fewer travellers taking to the skies, air carriers have begun cutting back on direct, non-stop flights to sunny destinations such as Mexico and the Caribbean.
As those flights are cut from Alberta's international airports, Berube suggested the deals being offered to travellers this season will be short-lived.
"If we aren't filling up the planes this season . . . . We generally don't get those planes back next year."
Getting a deal closer to home could also become more difficult. The low dollar is making Alberta more attractive to travellers from the United States and abroad, which drives up costs.
For instance, hotel and tour operators in mountain destinations such as Banff and Jasper have had a record year, and that trend is expected to continue.
However, Berube said sunseekers should not be discouraged. Those willing to shop around may still be able to stretch their dollar far enough to head south this winter.
"Sunny travel is nourishing for the soul. And we need that here in Alberta."