NEWS RELEASES
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through KSEN's website.
The travel industry in Montana has been impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Thirty-six percent of travel business owners around Montana had already experienced cancellations due to the coronavirus before any confirmed cases existed in Montana. Nearly fifty percent of hotel/motels and other accommodation businesses had cancellations due to the coronavirus as well as 30 percent of outfitters and guides.KSEN writer, Wendy Nielsen, covers in her article, "While a general concern is evident, those concerns vary by sectors within the industry. Vacation rentals: “What would negatively affect us the most, is if our housekeepers are infected or are not able to work. Or if one of our guests get sick and infects our house. That would be devastating to us and I guess we would have to cancel upcoming guests. Don't know how to plan for this.” RV campgrounds: “We are booking sites and they are bringing in their own RV's so I'm sure each camper is doing all they can to keep their RV's sanitized and they are less likely to engage people who might have the virus. Most campers use their own facilities.” The majority of Montana’s travel related businesses are small with little leeway if they are impacted severely due to the coronavirus, even if the duration of the impact is short. Seventy-two percent said that the coronavirus will negatively impact their business, with nearly 70 percent believing it will reduce their revenues.
To read more on the Montana travel industry, click here.