'It's about time': Businesses begin feeling effects of cruise industry restart in Victoria

One month ago, the first cruise ship in more than two years arrived at Ogden Point in Victoria. It was the first cruise ship to return to Canada since the beginning of the pandemic, and for businesses that cater to tourists, the return of the industry was welcome news.

For Charles Horn, who owns The Pedaler Cycling Tours in downtown Victoria, the last two years have come with a lot of sleepless nights.

"The pandemic sucked," said Horn. "All the touring disappeared."

No tourists meant his bike tour and rental company struggled to survive.

"We’re going biking," said Cleo Martin who is here on vacation. "We’re going to do a bike tour of the coast of Victoria."

Now with tourists back, business is once again rolling in, and Horn finds it a little easier to sleep at night.

Charles Horn, owner of The Pedaler Cycling Tours, rents two bikes to Cleo Martin and Roy Martin who are vacationing in Victoria. (CTV News)

"Bookings are coming in," said the tour operator. "People are walking in the door."

With cruise ships once again sailing into our waters, business is ramping up at Ogden Point.

"It’s fantastic to see people back," said Mike Lazar, a Pedicab operator in Victoria.

Already this season, 26 ships have arrived.

"The ships so far have been sailing at anywhere between 40 to 80 per cent capacity," said Ian Robertson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

Still, they have brought thousands of people into the capital region.

The cruise lines expect to fill those ships as the season progresses.

"We are on our way to find a great brunch restaurant," said Kristin Curtz, who is here on Victoria.

"Maybe see Butchart Gardens and the Butterfly Gardens," said Kelly Behre who has also travelled to Victoria.

NOT QUITE SUMMER

At Moose Crossing Gifts on Government Street, business is up, but it’s too soon to say by how much.

"Everybody is getting back to normal and it’s about time," said David Duprat, operations manager at Moose Crossing.

"We’re still compiling the numbers up so we’re not too sure exactly how much, but we really feel a big difference in the sales and the business of the stores," he said.

It’s not all good news though. On the 900-block of Government Street, Victoria Ice Cream & Fudge Factory sits empty of tourists.

"It’s not doing well," said Alexya Skrlac, operation manager of Oh Gelato and Victoria Ice Cream & Fudge Factory.

She points to the closure of Government Street and the new cruise-shuttle stop being moved north, 140 metres away from her shop.

"We are about 50 per cent less than the other location," said Skrlac. "We’re down about 60 per cent from any other year."

Hope still does exist that local business will pick up after the May long weekend, however.

"We always see after the May long weekend, people realize the weather is great, Victoria is beautiful, there’s things to see, there’s places to go and we start to see a lot more people coming here," said Skrlac.

In total, 350 ships are scheduled to dock in Victoria this season.