Ottawa’s plans to rebuild tourism sector after pandemic, occupation

The worst of the blows have come and gone and now is the time for the city to rebuild its tourism sector.

According to Janteen Van Kregten of Ottawa Tourism, the city is in the midst of rebuilding its image and bringing Canada’s capital back into the spotlight — not just for visitors, but for locals as well.

“The last two years with the pandemic and then to add on the occupation of our city on top of that has really been taking a toll on our tourism industry — our businesses, our organizations, our festivals — all the things that make Ottawa a great city and make it a great place to raise a family and to visit,” Van Kregten told The Sam Laprade Show on Monday, March 14. “The beauty is we do seem to have the worst of it behind us…but we are in a place where restrictions are loosening, where things are opening up.”

Now until the end of March, Ottawa Tourism is holding a promotion where if you book a two-night stay with a participating Ottawa hotel, you can save $200.

This, Van Kregten said, also contributes to the Ontario Staycation Tax Credit, which allows people to claim the stay on their taxes next year. 

And there’s plenty to do in Ottawa.

Not only are winter trails still open, but businesses are eager to welcome patrons back into their shops or restaurants. 

And with spring not too far away, the city’s festival season will help breath life back into Canada’s capital, as well as many activities along the Ottawa River.

“With a day like today, you can just picture May around the corner with the Tulip Festival coming,” she said. “You can learn how to whitewater raft or do the float tours they have on tubes — the tubing experience. There are so many different ways to engage with the river.”

But Ottawa Tourism isn’t the only organization out there encouraging people to get out again. 

Nelligan Law has partnered with KarmaDharma Creative to not only “amplify” the profile of local businesses, but bring in patrons through social media gift card giveaways. 

The campaign is called #ComeBackDowntown613, and the giveaways will happen one Facebook and Instagram.

Over the upcoming weeks, anyone interested in snagging a gift card will see the instructions up on social media channels like Facebook and Instagram. 

“So far, we have eight businesses registered with more submission coming in as we speak,” Hanna Saunders, spokesperson for Nelligan Law, told CityNews Ottawa. “We’d love for more businesses to participate. We just started promoting this campaign last week, and have already gotten tons of positive feedback from the community.”

Follow the campaign on social media for a chance to win one of the many gift cards in the giveaway. 

The first giveaway is to La Bottega Nicastro in the ByWard Market for $200.

Through both social media channels, those wanting to throw their name in the hat have to like the business account or the Come Back Downtown 613 account and tag a friend in the comments.

The giveaways are open to all Ottawa residents. 

A winner will be drawn at random and contacted through direct message, following the closing date of each giveaway, which will be posted on the individual posts. 

The La Bottega Nicastro contest ends on Sunday, March 20.

Nelligan Law and KarmaDharma Creative have not yet determined how long this campaign with go on for. As long as they have funds, they said, they’re going to continue giving back to the community. 

“We know it will take time to recreate the habit of coming back downtown,” Saunders said. “It’s hard to be a witness to the devastation our community had endured throughout the shutdowns and protest. We want to play an active role in helping heal the downtown core.”

Listen to the full interview with Janteen Van Kregten on The Sam Laprade Show.