Virus fears aren’t chilling local tourism, other business
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 7 months AGO
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | March 11, 2020 1:00 AM
As novel coronavirus affects air travel and cruise ships around the world, North Idaho's travel and tourism industry isn’t feeling pressured or panicked.
"So far, everything is business as usual," Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Mark Robitaille said Tuesday.
Robitaille, who interacts with local hospitality and travel businesses on a daily basis, said he hasn't heard anything out of the ordinary or received questions on social media regarding North Idaho's status amid global pandemic fears.
"The nice thing is that nothing has been reported here," he said.
At The Coeur d'Alene Resort, marketing director Amy VanSickle said cancellations have not increased. The only changes in hotel reservations have been some rescheduling done around groups that are experiencing travel restrictions, she said.
"It's been all good with the great weather," she said. "The golf course is opening two weeks early on April 1."
VanSickle said The Resort is following the procedures recommended by Panhandle Health District, staying on top of hand sanitation and extra cleaning.
"From a day-to-day perspective, nothing’s that different," she said. "Guests are still coming here having a great time. We still have events going on. We have the Shamrock Splash this weekend and then Blues Festival next weekend."
She said she doesn't see it impacting wedding season, either.
"We have a wedding this weekend," she said.
Marissa Shamblin, general manager of vacation home rental agency Vacation Rental Authority in downtown Coeur d'Alene, said her business is moving forward as usual with no worries, "although it has been a quieter spring."
"Usually we have a higher influx of people planning their vacations,” she said. "Those who have already booked seem fairly confident to honor their reservations."
Coeur d'Alene Chamber President Derrell Hartwick said the chamber held its upbeat breakfast with 250 people Tuesday morning, so coronavirus fears haven’t scared off the locals.
"There are some conferences that have been put on hold," he said. "We're aware and we're prepared, but as of right now, everything is running as normal.”
The lack of panic in North Idaho shows how smart and aware our community is, Hartwick said.
"If we ever have something that does happen, I know our business community will rally," he said. "Everyone is aware and prepared if that ever happens."
Information released by Avista Utilities on Tuesday reported that the company is closely monitoring the developments related to coronavirus and it has taken precautions to preserve the health and safety of its employees and other stakeholders to minimize the spread of illness.
“We take our role as an essential service provider seriously, and as such, we have taken precautionary measures internally with a focus on employee health and safety and the continued delivery of safe and reliable electricity and natural gas to our customers,” said Dennis Vermillion, Avista president and CEO. “We have no confirmed cases among our employees and are taking a preventative approach to minimize risk and honor our company’s unique role. We are prepared to manage through this evolving situation and appreciate the support of our employees and all those we serve.”
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