It wasn't unexpected that Thorold's tourism industry would see a dip in visitors over the summer - but the impact could have been far greater.
That is the message from Venture Niagara's business development manager Susan Morin, contracted by the city to oversee the town's tourism work.
Compared to last year, Thorold saw 34 percent fewer visitors to its tourism center.
The decline was primarily due to the lack of U.S and international visitors, shut out by the border closures and travel restrictions that have maimed the local economy severely.
But the impact was dampened by a significant increase in bike traffic from Ontario residents rolling through town and stopping to look at the canal or enjoy a coffee in the parks.
"People on holidays came in, and many were cycling. For bike traffic to increase by 69 percent from the previous year is quite impressive," Susan Morin told Thorold News.
Considering many retail locations and attractions closing down, along with the redoing of Front Street, Morin said the influx of Ontario visitors bodes well, as they are proven to be more inclined to return next season – and bring their business.
Morin said her tourism staff kept busy promoting local destinations on social media, as well as greeting those who made it to the visitor's center.
The next big hump to get over is to keep the town's small business afloat over the winter, to be prepared for the next summer when Morin hopes things will look more 'normal'.
"The pandemic is a challenge for everyone, but the fact that we did Front Street this year and did not postpone due to the pandemic is going to serve us well next year. Otherwise, it would have been two summers of real hardship."
