'It will be bumpy': Tourism set to take off after Canada's travel vaccine is dropped
Unvaccinated Canadians are allowed to travel on planes and trains once again. The federal COVD-19 vaccines are no longer in place for domestic travellers and Canadians heading to international destinations.
"I think it provides more opportunity for domestic travel and just reduces yet another barrier as we start to recover as an industry," said Hala Dehais, the academic chair with SAIT's School of Hospitality and Tourism.
"I think it can be very positive for our industry."
The rule changes, which were officially 'suspended' on Monday, mean anyone taking a train or plane within the country will not have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine. Masks are still required in all airports.
Canadians also won't need to show proof when flying internationally, though unvaccinated Canadians will still face quarantine and testing requirements when returning. It's worth noting, however, that destinations such as the United States and Australia still require all visitors to be vaccinated for the virus.
The changes to travel requirements come during an already-busy travel season, one that has seen long waits and delays at most major airports across the world. In Canada, some of those delays are partially being blamed on labour shortages among airlines and airport staff.
VACCINE MANDATE FOR FEDERAL WORKERS LIFTED
As of Monday, the vaccine requirement for federal workers and transportation employees was lifted, too.
"I guess the hope would be just to become more efficient and have less lines and, you know, get back to how we were traveling before," said Kylan Falk a travel specialist with Civilized Adventures in Calgary.
On the hospitality and tourism side, the industry has been resilient through more than two slow years, said Dehais. The boost is also much needed, she added.
"I think it will be bumpy. The recovery will certainly be bumpy as we see labour shortages here in Alberta as well as globally in the industry.
"As we build back up, I think we need the demand in order to build that workforce back up and I think the consistency will help us do that," Dehais said.
Canadians also won't need to show proof when flying internationally, though unvaccinated Canadians will still face quarantine and testing requirements when returning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ukraine's fight for 'the future of us all,' Trudeau says on surprise trip to Kyiv
Canada will spend $500 million to help Ukraine's military fight Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday in Kyiv, where he told the country's parliament they are in a battle for 'the future of us all.'

Public inquiry into foreign interference 'has never been off the table': LeBlanc
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says a public inquiry into foreign interference 'has never been off the table,' following the sudden resignation of special rapporteur David Johnston.
Here's how some of Canada's wildfires compare in size to cities, lakes
Fires across the country are burning millions of hectares of land but what does that really look like? CTVNews.ca compared the blazes to some cities and lakes in the country showing just how big they have gotten.
Lawmakers shouldn't wait for unmarked graves report to act, Murray says
Ahead of the release of her interim report on progress as Canada's special interlocutor on unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says lawmakers at all levels of government shouldn’t be waiting for her findings to act.
'See it with my own eyes': Canadian teen in war-torn Ukraine to film documentary
A Ukrainian-Canadian teenager is on an emotional journey to capture the destruction of the Russian invasion, including of his childhood home, on camera.
Unhealthy habits of university students could lead to future health problems
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventative Medicine Reports by a group of international researchers has found that post-secondary students with unhealthy eating habits can go on to suffer from disease and mental health issues for years to come.
Three people charged in alleged abduction of N.L. teen after Amber Alert issued
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador say three people are facing charges following the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl.
David Johnston resigns as foreign interference special rapporteur, citing 'highly partisan atmosphere'
Foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston has resigned, CTV News has confirmed. In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Johnston cited the intense politicization of his appointment and work, as the reason for his coming departure.
Donald Trump stored, showed off and refused to return classified documents, indictment says
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday that alleges that he described a Pentagon 'plan of attack' and shared a classified map related to a military operation.