Clipper suspending service between Victoria and Seattle until April 2021
about 5 years in timescolonist
Clipper Navigation has decided to suspend service between Victoria and Seattle until next spring, leaving the company with only six people on the payroll.
Citing the extension of the closed border between Canada and the U.S., continuation of the quarantine policy and overall coronavirus uncertainty, the company said it had no choice but to shut down all operations.
“We wholeheartedly agree with the steps and health precautions taken by Canadian and U.S. government officials to date to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission through non-essential travel,” said David Gudgel, chief executive of Clipper.
“Our intent in suspending operations is to hopefully allow ample time to pass so that we may return to service next spring when travel across the border is safe and welcomed once again.”
The company has extended the suspension of service until April 30 next year, noting the loss of any summer operations makes year-round operations for Clipper in 2020 unrealistic.
At its peak, the company employs about 200 people.
The decision suggests that Destination B.C.’s worst fears may come to pass.
The tourism marketing wing of the provincial government has estimated the tourism industry would lose 130,000 jobs and drop $16.8 billion in revenue as a result of COVID-19.
The worst-case scenario suggested short-haul visitation wouldn’t start until next spring, U.S. visitation next summer and and international visitation not until the winter of 2021. It also pegged the job losses at 147,000 and revenue was expected to drop $19 billion.
According to the province, last year the tourism industry accounted for $21.5 billion in combined revenue, employed 166,000 people and provided $1.8 billion in tax revenue.
In the best-case scenario offered by Destination B.C., U.S. travel could start in the fall and international travel by December. In that scenario, suggested job losses would have been about 75,000 and industry revenue reduced by $9.8 billion.