Sask. tourism bouncing back 5 years after beginning of pandemic

Discover Saskatoon and Tourism Regina say business is booming, and they're hoping for a hot and profitable summer as they finally put the pandemic and its challenges behind them.

Discover Saskatoon CEO Steph Clovechok says the visitor economy in her city is booming. She said there was about $787 million in tourism spending in 2024, a seven per cent increase from the year before.

She also said more people are also coming to Saskatoon internationally and spending more, with an 18 per cent increase. 

"Our occupancy rates here in Saskatoon are almost close to those pre pandemic rates of about 60 per cent annual occupancy," she said.

At the same time, some in the hospitality industry are still facing challenges.

"I would say that COVID has implicated our industry in ways that may not ever be recoverable," Clovechok said. "Restauranteurs and culinary experiences are bearing with the cost of inflation."

Tourism Regina's Jennifer Johnson said 2024 was a good year for the city, with tourism numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels, based on overall spending, a rise in hotel occupancy levels and an increase in traffic at the airport.

"We actually host a lot of events, conferences, sporting events and trade shows. So that really brings people into the city and that is something we are known for. We are known for being very good event hosts here," she said. 

Maygen Kardash is a travel and events blogger in Saskatoon. 

She said the province is a great destination for tourism.

"Saskatchewan is a hidden gem. It's one of those places that until you experience it, you might think of it as just in the middle of nowhere. But our culinary scene is top-notch," she said.

"I'm comparing it to places I've been in the world. And our food is amazing. Especially Saskatoon has some of my favorite restaurants in the world. There's so much to do. The people are so warm and welcoming."

• Explore CBC's Saskatoon Bites series

Some businesses still struggling

Not everyone is celebrating a return to pre-pandemic normalcy. Some restaurants, like the Streets Steakhouse and Bar in Moose Jaw, say they're not in the clear just yet.

Five years after the first cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, the recovery has been turbulent. While challenges from the harsh economic conditions persist for some businesses, they've survived some of the most difficult times.

Ashlea Street, owner and operator of Streets Steakhouse and Bar in Moose Jaw, said supply chain issues and the high cost of goods that began during the pandemic are still presenting significant challenges. 

"We try to make it so that our business can, essentially just pay the bills, and our staff can make their money and whatever the case may be until everything corrects itself. And so we're hoping that that happens," Street said. 

She said U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on all Canadian goods is adding to the pressure.

"It's definitely a concern because we already have all these things that are unaccounted for as a business, and so to have these extra things that are going to come, you don't even know what to expect," she said. 

Street said the cost of meat she buys for the steakhouse has already doubled and the business has taken the majority of the brunt because they don't want to pass it on to the customers. She said there is no room for further rise in prices and will have to increase prices in other ways to make up.