Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce executive director, Mary Ruth Snyder, is hopeful that local businesses can weather the pandemic storm.
Snyder is reacting to a BC Chamber of Commerce survey.
It shows that almost half of British Columbia businesses that are temporarily closed are not confident in their ability to reopen.
“Yes, local businesses participated in this,” Snyder said. “I think the two key industries that are being affected are, for sure, our tourism that has come to a full stop, as well as hospitality, has had some challenges. Many of them have been able to pivot, and we really won’t know the results of how successful the pivot has been for probably another four-to-eight weeks.”
As for the survey, four in 10 businesses surveyed say they can only continue to operate for up to three months under the current restrictions.
For businesses temporarily closed, the future is equally dire, with only half expecting to reopen once the restrictions are eased.
Of the other half, 38 percent are unsure, and eight percent will not reopen.
And while the survey results are grim, Snyder said Campbell River businesses, especially the restaurateurs in town, are “a very resilient bunch.”
“Almost right away, they were able to pivot to a delivery system and a take-out model,” she added.
Snyder said “we have a very vibrant community, that is used to re-inventing itself, and I don’t believe this is going to be any different.”
She added that some Campbell River businesses have either shifted or are looking to shift to e-commerce, or have closed temporarily with every intention of re-opening when the pandemic ends.
“I believe that a number of businesses that have chosen to close are taking advantage of the programs that are being offered by the government that will see them through to the other side of this,” Snyder said. “I am very hopeful and encouraged with what I am hearing from the local restaurants and hoteliers that they will come out the other side.”
As for tourism, Snyder imagined how it would thrive if all B.C. residents decided to travel within the province: “That would see a significant influx back into our local economy and our local tour operators if everybody on Vancouver Island chose to have ‘stay-cations.’”
The survey included nearly 1,3000 member-businesses of the BC Chamber of Commerce, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Business Council of British Columbia, and other partners.
