Ellicottville NY (WIVB) – The Canadiens are back with a warm welcome back in Ellicottville. The region is hoping for a business boom from reopening the border to Canadians for non-essential travel.
“Sigh of relief and we are delighted to see them return,” said Jane EshBaugh. who is the Marketing Director of Holiday Valley. “They sort of arrive, but everyone is so happy to see them. Friends that we haven’t seen for 20 months and it’s great to find them again.
For ski resorts like Holiday Valley and HoliMont Ski Club, some of their members come from across the border.
“Fifty percent of our members are from Canada. So it’s been a long year without our Canadian members being here at the club, ”said HoliMont General Manager Ed Youmans.
To help bring Canadian tourists back to Ellicottville, the people of HoliMont offers free PCR tests and rapid COVID-19 tests and plans to offer them throughout the winter season.
“That will of course depend on whether or not the test requirement is maintained and everyone is hoping that it does not stay in place all winter,” Youmans said. “It’s really going to attract a lot more people here and take advantage of all that we have in Ellicottville that has to offer.”
Canadian resident Jimmy Durante told News 4 he traveled to Ellicottville with his wife because of the free tests.
“It’s great for Canadians, isn’t it? We’ve never been here so this is a first for us and now you have someone who’s like hey, we’re thinking of coming here on New Years Eve, ”he said. “So you automatically have customers who could then spend the money in Ellicottville. “
“We’ve taken a giant leap here to make it easier for Canadian members and Canadians in general to come and visit Ellicottville, as this city thrives on Canadian tourism,” Youmans said.
Sarah Minkewicz is a journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2019. See more of her work here.
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