Despite closures and staff reductions, managers at Battlefords hotels are working to help the community. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Limits on hospitality

Hotels trying to help patrons, employees amid economic shutdown

Apr 30, 2020 | 5:05 PM

Following the initial weeks of the pandemic, hotels have either temporarily shut down or laid off most of staff due to financial and safety reasons. Tisha Carriere of Gold Eagle Lodge said their decision to close was difficult, but necessary due to “a high level of people travelling from hot spots.”

“Talking to staff, they felt it was the best [decision] to keep everybody safe,” she said.

A major issue hurting hotels is the limitations on travel. Linda Machniak, the Chamber of Commerce Chief Operations Officer said the economy of the tourism sector won’t improve until restrictions are slowly lifted.

“The tourism sectors, casinos, all of those types of things where their businesses depend on people traveling around,” Machniak said. “Unless you’re a resident of the province or have a specific reason to be travelling, I don’t see significant change happening in that regard.

Another roadblock to getting business back on track is the industries that patron hotels in the Battlefords region. Jenni Wuttunee, director of sales and marketing at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, said they rely heavily on government and the energy industry.

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“Until those industries pick up, the hotel industry likely won’t in this area,” Wuttunee said.

Some hotels staying open are now serving specific community needs. Comfort Inn and Suites is housing health care workers who are distancing from families. The Holiday Inn has offered free meals and showers for truck drivers. Wuttunee said they had to shift their focus once restrictions were established.

“How we could help, how we could serve the community in [this] time,” she said.

Carriere said Gold Horse expects to remain closed until the middle of June. She said it’s been a relief to know there’s government financial support for workers who faced layoffs.

“It puts us at ease, knowing everyone’s taken care of at this time,” she said.

For locations like the Holiday Inn, all they can do is wait.

“We’re like everybody else,” Wuttunee said. “We’re listening to the 2:30 p.m. broadcast by [Premiere] Scott Moe every day to see where we’re at.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports