Resorts, cottages in Manitoba inundated with bookings from within province and beyond

Greg Ftomahas been swamped with resort bookings and is hiringsummer staffearlier than usual.

Ftoma and his wiferun Brereton Lake Resort in Manitoba's Whiteshell Provincial Park, about 135 kilometres east of Winnipeg. They alsoowna restaurant, gas station, boat rental andlaundromat in the area.

He is surprised his business has been jumping since May,despite an exceptionally slow March and April because of COVID-19. Ftoma admits he wasn't prepared for the uptake to happen so quickly. Not only has he brought in his seasonal staff earlier than last year, he is hiring another three employees.

"It's ridiculous. It's like what we would see in summer July and August. We are all boggled. We are getting 15 to 20 emailsa day from people scrambling to find a spot in Manitoba," said Ftoma.

Seeing new faces

Most of the bookingsare from vacationers in Winnipeg and Steinbach, Man., he says. Some are regulars, andsome are trying to find a last-minute destination likefamilies who have had to cancel plans to visit other provinces or the United States because of the coronavirus, closed bordersand two-week quarantine restrictions.

Ftoma says even with the pandemic, his business is up25 to 35 per cent over the same time last year.

In some ways, it's been harder to make money with the late start and fewer early reservations. But now, he says, "we are surpassing last year, because there are just more people.More people are coming out, faces we have never seen before,"he said.

Glad for Phase 3

He is now booking cabins into mid-September, with one week still available in July and August filling up.

Over at Falcon Trails Resort, also in the Whiteshell, there's not an opening to be found until mid-September.

At Clear Lake, Reg Kehler is relieved Manitoba is moving into Phase 3 which kicked in June 21 which he is banking on to salvage his summer.

Phase 3 of Manitoba's reopening planallowsvisitors to come from Western Canada or part of northwestern Ontario without having to self-isolate for twoweeks if they don't have COVID-19 symptoms.

Kehler owns 50 stand-alone cottages and a hotel in Riding Mountain National Park, about 250 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. About half of his clients come from Saskatchewan and the remainderfrom Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.

He was inundated with cancellations at the beginning of the year, but now he is starting to see a quick turnaround.He has averaged 15 to 20 bookings on each of the past two days.

More last-minute bookings

"Visitors from Saskatchewan are holding off on cancelling, and now that they don't have to isolate, we hope they will still come," said Kehler. "I am optimistic they will come back."

His business is down 30 per cent over the same time last year. But with Phase 3 kicking in, he is hopeful for a quick rebound. Like Ftoma, he too is seeing a lot more last-minute bookings from Manitobans who are scrambling to salvage cancelledholiday plans.

"We are seeing a lot more Manitoba and Winnipeg action. More bookings locally than ever before. Some,surprisingly, saythey have never been to Clear Lake before," said Kehler.

"Clear Lake is a gem. A mini-Banff. Beautiful water, first class golf course and hiking trails. Only a few hours away," he added.

At Thunderbird Bungalows in Wasagaming, the story is similar. Owner Louise Lusignansays half of her repeat visitors from Saskatchewan cancelled earlier in the year. Now she is hoping with Phase 3, they will come back.

"Had the mandatory isolation not been lifted, we would have been in serious trouble," said Lusignan. "I don't know if we would have pulled through the season."

In a typical year, her 25 cabins are all booked by June 26. She still has a few openings, with July full.

Excited as July approaches

At BreretonLake resort, Ftoma is excited to ramp up for what he says will be a hectic summer.

"I don't know what will happen this summer, but I'm very excited, it will be good for business," said Ftoma.

He's thrilled to see new faces he has never seen before as well as visitors telling him they haven't been back to the Whiteshell in 30 years since they were a child.

"That's what it's all about. Great memories. And making new ones this summer."