Eastman Tourism looks to attract travellers

Eastman Tourism is launching an updated website, visitor guides, and pamphlets to bring travellers back to eastern Manitoba, after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions halted travelling.

The plan is to increase memberships, keep their website updated, and establish better communication with all members.

The board will release new brochures in July featuring destinations and events around eastern Manitoba.

Robert (Bob) Kovachik, chair at the Eastman Tourism board, said tourism brings a lot of money to the economy and he is expecting more international travellers coming to Canada.

“A lot of people are upset with the Trump administration,” he said.

Some Canadians are choosing to travel domestic because of the push for supporting local.

Tourism has contributed $29.6 billion to government revenue in 2023, according to Statistics Canada.

Kovachik said he and his wife, were planning to travel around Lake Superior on their motorcycle and go from the South through Minnesota and Wisconsin, but they cancelled it and are staying on the Canadian side instead.

“I want to leave my money in Canada. I want to support Canada. A lot of businesses are suffering because of the tariffs… Canadian businesses need help,” said Kovachik, who also owns a bed and breakfast in Manitoba.

Canadian travellers took 39 million trips to the United States, and U.S. travellers took 23.5 million trips to Canada in 2024, according to Statistics Canada.

The recent wildfires in the province are also affecting leisure activities and tourism.

“It’s unfortunate we had such large fires across the province, especially in Eastern Manitoba. That really put the damper on a lot of people wanting to access the places they would typically go like kayaking, canoeing, and hiking,” said Kovachik. “Those businesses are really suffering this year. However, they’re still there and they need support.”

Kovachik said the summer season is big for travel, but Manitoba’s winters have great opportunities for glamping, ice fishing, and snowmobiling activities.

Michelle Gawronsky, secretary of the Eastman Tourism Board, said travel was non-existent during the pandemic, but the board took the time as an opportunity to re-strategize their plans and policies for the future.

Gawronsky said there are many endangered species including the Fringed Orchids which has a specific moth that pollinates it which are home to her municipality of Stuartburn.

Keeping the species safe has caused car accidents with wildlife crossing on roads.

She said they’ve had a number of car accidents in the past few years because the grass on the ditch hasn’t been cut, making it harder for drivers to spot wildlife crossing.

Recently, the federal government released the Canada Strong Pass which allows people to have free admission or select discounts at participating sites from June 20 to Sept. 2. There is no virtual or physical pass and is only available for participating locations.

Eastman Tourism doesn’t have an executive director, but they hope to fill the position in the fall.