Tourism operators are looking forward to a more normal, non-pandemic spring and summer season.

Neil Hartling, the chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Yukon, told the Star May 16 he’s optimistic the upcoming tourist season will finally bring some relief to the operators who have suffered their way through two starving seasons caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

“In general, with the borders opening up and the regulations loosening, it’s looking very encouraging,” Hartling said.

For many operators, especially outfitters, he said, the process of recovery is being hurried along by the opportunity to clear three years of backlogged bookings, along with new reservations.

That’s good news for all concerned, Hartling added. Operators are “in a financial crater,” he said, with debt and staff shortages hanging over them like the Sword of Damocles.

“It’s going to take a few good years (to make up for the pandemic losses),” Hartling said.

That three-year backlog is helping operators out right now, he added, but they need to continue to develop new customers.

Once the glut of postponed trips runs out, operators will have a better idea of exactly where they stand.

“Right now, it’s looking better, but it could be the illusion of a good harvest, but we are well-positioned to compete,” Hartling said.

One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is recruiting staff, Hartling noted.

That’s why the association is forming a pan-industry committee to focus on labour recruitment and training.

“We always look for industry solutions first, then look for government support,” he said.

Hartling does thank the Yukon government for its “tremendous support during the pandemic.

“Without it, many operators would be closing up shop. But hopefully, now we’re back in a more regular world,” he said.

Mark Stenzig of Up North Adventures echoed many of Hartling’s comments.

“We’re doing quite well,” he told the Star May 16.

“We have good numbers of inquiries, and good reservations. It definitely looks like a stronger Canadian market so far, but we do need the borders to be open (to help us out).”

Stenzig said the biggest challenge his business faces at the moment is recruiting employees.

“Finding staff is a big issue,” he said. “Where did all the people go? It’s a challenge across the country.”

It’s a worker’s market right now, Stenzig added, meaning prospective employers have to sweeten their offers to attract employees.

“We’re advertising a lot, and we’re offering wage increases,” he said.

Scott McDougall, the co-owner of Kanoe People, sees similar trends happening.

In an interview with the Star last Tuesday, he said, “It looks like things are getting back to normal.”

The easing of the COVID-19 restrictions are helping considerably, along with relaxations of border regulations.

McDougall said Kanoe People is an “international business,” and the return of travellers from outside Canada will be a boon to his operation.

Likewise, the return of the Yukon River Quest is welcome news, along with the Yukon 100 canoe race.

Many of those paddlers patronize his shop, McDougall said.

As Hartling and Stenzig noted, McDougall said he’s being buoyed as well for the moment by the backlog of people who have previously booked during the past two years.

The shortage of labour is affecting him as well, although he said he’s been able to retain some staff.

“It’s harder to recruit people,” McDougall said.

So far, the cool weather is serving to slow down business somewhat, McDougall said.

People’s minds turn more to paddling with warm, sunny weather – which hasn’t been the case so far in the Yukon, especially around Whitehorse.

McDougall is also concerned about the high water levels, which could discourage people from paddling.

Last year, high water caused the cancellation of the Yukon River Quest, and conditions are somewhat comparable this year.

The association recently held its annual general meeting on the same hopeful note.

“We’re really optimistic,” Blake Rogers, TIA's executive director, told the Star last Wednesday. “The bookings are strong.”

That’s good news for operators, Rogers said, after a “two-year drought” caused by the pandemic.

While the association and operators are upbeat, Rogers cautioned that recovery won’t come for the industry as if someone just has to “flick a switch.”

It’s going to take some time for a full recovery to be made, and there are still challenges to be faced.

Rogers pointed to April’s decision by the White Pass and Yukon Route not to run to Carcross again this year as problematic for Southern Lakes operators.

The shortened season for the Little Gold border crossing on the Top of the World Highway is also a blow to operators in the northern region of Yukon who were relying on the first re-opening in two years to help their businesses.

The season will be about three weeks shorter than normal, with two of those weeks coming in the fall when many tourists could still be present.

“That’s when we are trying to extend the season,” Rogers said.

He also confirmed that many operators are struggling to recruit and retain staff.