Tourists from western Canada, Quebec drive return to ByWard Market stalls

Street vendors in the ByWard market, a key tourism hub in Ottawa, saydomestic touristsare returning to thestalls, even as market organizersbracefor the delta variant.

With the Canada-U.S.border only just reopeningto fully-vaccinated travelerson Monday, tourismin the city is stillrelying heavily on visitors from the rest of Canada.

Zach Dayler,executive director for Ottawa Markets, said overall business is down for vendors because of their reliance on tourism. But visitors from other parts of Canada have helped.

"We've seen a lot of domestic tourism start to pick up ... We're going to seethe travel reflect the restrictions in the province the individuals are coming from. So [it]makes a lot of sense that we're seeing more folks from the west come outthis way."

'No tourists, no business'

Christine Mbonakuete, who sells her paintings at the outdoor market, saidmost of her buyers are from Toronto and Calgary.

Even with tourism picking up from western Canada and Quebec, Mbonakuete saidher sales are down.

"We're still trying," she said. "It's not like before ...Before it was many tourists they come from overseas, they come from America to visit our stall. But this year is different."

BerheHagoshas been selling custom jewelryand other African commoditiesatthe ByWard Market for over twenty years. He's used to seeinga large number of international tourists.

"Actually, they are the second buyers," he said. "Number one is Canada. Number two, Americans, and then [some from] Australia, England."

Market adapts to delta

The ByWard Market, said Dayler, has taken precautions since reopening in July under the Ontario government's phased reopening plan.

Stalls are spaced six feet apart andoffer sanitizer, he said. Vendors are required to self-assess at the start of their shift each morning.

Daylor said the precautions are designed to help people feel safe, as the delta variant spreads andAmerican travellers ifrelatively few of them return.

Mbonakuetesaid she's glad to be back at her stall even with uncertainty around the delta variant.

"Now I'm feeling good, because I'm coming out everyday. It's making me feel better," she said.