Tourism North Bay Executive Director on dealing with a difficult year

A strong year in 2019 is providing a cushion this year for Tourism North Bay.

So says Executive Director Steve Dreany.

He they finished with over $200,000 in the bank and that’s helped as there’s been a 50 % decrease in occupancy in North Bay due to the impact of COVID-19. That has an impact on what the city and Tourism North Bay get through the Municipal Accommodation Tax.

He says it’s been a tough year.

“When it first hit all the businesses were all closed and the effect was devastating. That stayed that way but now we’re slowly climbing out of it,” he says.

Dreany credits many local restaurant owners for adapting.

“There has been a number of different ways they’ve adapted. They’ve done curbside delivery, takeout and reduced menus so that they would be able to operate with reduced staff,” he says.

Dreany says the winter will be challenging but he hopes more local residents will stay home this winter and support local businesses.

(photo by station staff)