[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6079473,"mediaKeyId","2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470","parentId",2955580,"title","Resorts and hospitality operators say seasonal workforce and housing shortages limit recovery","audioSeconds",2796,"startMs",2420000,"endMs",5216000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470&start=2420&end=5216","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470/thumbnail_2420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079473/Vermont/Resorts-and-hospitality-operators-say-seasonal-workforce-and-housing-shortages-limit-recovery","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079473-f4e1d6c41ecba4a9806f1e233449c48f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774940180&Signature=SHWUzggznxLnl4vDnqAupqhxq78puWcBY9uOUwCA-N7pst9eDdAE8fWHjJWI5W-wt-8MgT6oyL7rxoSK2GRTIidllCk5bs57-NHC6D0156zF~d8spEk~DJD1g9kct6VsZhOFEQqKjgfQUWbR-HbdYrlYmCWPoLk~beY-77lVfk6woGAlWoFGkt5X36eaRbYwiIcfKxRtxO1iocH~TkUJeEuvKviCfxMhTQE~cK-6ZgRF7q4MUqvwjbrYCDfD0V-aW8i2Dcz9BRhZXbP5Mu3jhs98UolEJV080zCnOudYq2Vfs4vd6AVP51534KcA3FlNl9U~JbMeitgJMqWolIsBtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-11T03:10:44.897Z","article","Operators of resorts, restaurants and other tourism businesses told the joint House and Senate committees that staff housing shortages, visa constraints and rising operating costs are constraining hiring and the scale of seasonal operations.

Will Greenwald of Basin Harbor Resort described a seasonal payroll that expands from 35 year‑round employees to about 240 workers in summer; the resort relies on some on‑site employee housing but has repurposed rental units to shelter staff. “We are fortunate to have employee housing on property for almost half of our seasonal workforce, but we have struggled to find arrangements for positions not allocated on‑site housing,” Greenwald said.

Operators said they rely on H‑2B and J‑1 programs for some international seasonal workers and highlighted unpredictability in cap and processing as a constraint. Basin Harbor and other businesses said difficulties arriving or obtaining visas this year could leave shifts unfilled.

Jay Peak’s Steve Wright said staff housing shortages force businesses to take units out of local rental inventories, which reduces community lodging supply and increases operating costs. Wright said capital‑expenditure costs have risen and now represent double‑digit shares of budgets: “CapEx used to be 3 to 4 percent of our total profit margin; it has more than doubled to 11 to 12% in just the past few years,” he said. Wright also said reduced Canadian visitation is producing immediate revenue shortfalls that compound staffing challenges.

Red Hen Baking Company’s owner said roughly 65 employees rely on the summer tourism bump to reach annual breakeven. Businesses asked lawmakers to continue attention to housing, workforce pipelines and visa processing support; committees heard no formal votes or orders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Commerce and Senate Economic Development - 2025-04-10 - 9:00AM","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers at the tourism hearing described how limited housing, visa constraints and higher capital and input costs are squeezing seasonal hiring and operations across resorts and hospitality businesses in Vermont.","taxTitle","Commerce & Economic Development, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",36720,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6079478,"Kingdom Trails: Mountain‑bike tourism fuels Northeast Kingdom economy, but Canadian declines threaten revenue",427,2795000,3222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470&start=2795&end=3222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470/thumbnail_2795000.jpg","/articles/6079478/Vermont/Kingdom-Trails-Mountainbike-tourism-fuels-Northeast-Kingdom-economy-but-Canadian-declines-threaten-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079478-8b76a71cdeb3ea90a9c2759b9ea46365/orig.mp4?Expires=1774940180&Signature=GS5lzoQ1OQtyeKr~lLnUJPBMxUbkfeTSmaZiuslfJK7zufBELCt7pZkfo1qlf-UmNQ8bsHSBfZOJzvtmfMlqWdMiGddJOS9-Ip8h~0A7EIKa-cMw3I8ToU1OysqNaO4ikF0ecjEFrbVK2LATrR5arOkZSkBqgM-bhFZTdHDitlEtTyWOfgwl4p8jYGyKEbOwZCZEqGCoz4bBxGk8JbuqsZf7zhj~nlZLPPY6j1CPJ1eWNs3j8DqyhbfbZQ~urTa4a7TZIDr3~xjWzAhSoocGzP9Ga~fo10vV89uPa2ut8lsgMEs0RHxzCgnmNQ1Yjje8DxBwKPLsWfKIMwp28~tnzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kingdom Trails representatives told the joint House and Senate committee that their nonprofit trail network in the Northeast Kingdom generates significant visitor spending, supports jobs and helps recruit workforce — and that recent reductions in Canadian visitors put membership and stewardship revenues at risk.

“For Kingdom Trails, we welcome over 100,000 visits annually,” Abby Long, executive director of the Kingdom Trail Association, said. “These visits generate an estimated $10,000,000 in direct spending and support over 200 direct jobs.” Long also said the network helps recruit health‑care professionals and other workers who cite the trails when choosing where to live.

Long said 75% of trail users are from out of state and that roughly 30% of users historically came from Canada, a figure that fell to 38% pre‑pandemic. In the past two months she said Canadian riders have told the organization they will defer visits until political tensions ease. Kingdom Trails has written an open letter to Canadian users stressing they remain welcome and asked the state to amplify that message.

Long emphasized that the trail system operates largely on private land donated by about 106 landowners and that membership revenue funds trail stewardship, insurance and access; a decline in memberships would force cuts to maintenance or programming. The organization also highlighted its adaptive‑friendly trail miles and youth programs supported by state grants.

No committee action was taken; Long asked lawmakers to recognize outdoor recreation’s role in regional economic development and to support outreach that reassures Canadian visitors.","Kingdom Trails leaders told lawmakers the trail network attracts out‑of‑state and Canadian visitors, generates millions in spending and supports jobs — and that recent declines in Canadian trail users threaten membership revenue needed to steward trails on private land.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6079483,"Museums and attractions warn of lower attendance and federal grant cuts",343,671000,1014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470&start=671&end=1014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470/thumbnail_671000.jpg","/articles/6079483/Vermont/Museums-and-attractions-warn-of-lower-attendance-and-federal-grant-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079483-d33738462dc9e733c9a872be41bd5f10/orig.mp4?Expires=1774940180&Signature=mJWr~mRI21Em9TBykzSXYoywN8sVAuKU0vPmWRe5g0NdnJqDtxS1Rz7tKZ6hMofRzf2uXhZfFfrP11iDEla6nRVdtgZ0pIwA0zvKS2QNl~PGv7bu1KK~eGETTPz2yNWYfI5YOWeRZhFa0e~SDpIMacox~AMSb6MZk3YCoQrtHTAI3cFBdDkPKZu26q7FyHeyqFMCS-9wNZqbdpVFB4bhoQ9psbL78Geyh-1Vryu3mO~9uUtyjcmeGy6J2fjttZ7KI8DXjnTYwHblDD4QeMHjxvwwUTBALvrmmc5Qa9S4BJX~j47XOBiJNN6R4OxtuF7GCIgVFK69sOqQ5bKWbEHAtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Museum and attraction leaders told the joint House and Senate committees that their institutions are a steady tourism asset but face falling attendance and cuts to federal support that fund exhibits and community programs.

“Two thirds of leisure travelers visit a museum or attraction when they're traveling,” Nina Rodevigno said. Rodevigno introduced herself as Director of Programs and Strategy at the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington and highlighted museums’ role in year‑round tourism and shoulder‑season visitation.

Rodevigno said museums are showing early signs of recessionary behavior, citing a New England Museum Association finding that average attendance fell about 15% in February; she also said consumer confidence metrics for museum visitation are down. She warned that recent federal changes affecting agencies such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Endowment for the Humanities have caused grant cancellations and layoffs.

“Institute of Museum of Library Services, which supports museums and libraries, all their staff have been laid off,” Rodevigno said, adding that the IMLS supported approximately $3,000,000 in competitive grants to Vermont museums over the past decade and that some local grants were canceled without timely reimbursement.

ECHO staff said the institution is investing in bilingual exhibits and plans to open a renovated main gallery with a larger tank and a CHAMP (Lake Champlain monster) exhibit to boost visitation, but that tariffs, higher construction costs and operating expenses are compounding fiscal pressure.

Leaders asked lawmakers to recognize museums as part of a diversified tourism economy that supports multi‑day itineraries, indoor options during poor weather and community programming funded by a mix of earned revenue and grants. No formal action was taken at the hearing.","Museum and attraction leaders told lawmakers that attendance trends and federal funding reductions are reducing earned and grant income that supports local outreach and exhibits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6079488,"Vermont tourism leaders warn Canadian visitation drop, tariffs and federal rhetoric threaten businesses",5031,318000,5349000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470&start=318&end=5349","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955580-47edf6803f0044509cf86ec40d08e470/thumbnail_318000.jpg","/articles/6079488/Vermont/Vermont-tourism-leaders-warn-Canadian-visitation-drop-tariffs-and-federal-rhetoric-threaten-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079488-53d58b6bbdbcc3f9560096c61c005e25/orig.mp4?Expires=1774940180&Signature=c3dkN7H3ogKnAibIckIyiBKiQ78~0jQSlCJIJaLJNBxdHeQYaScF-XMDZoTfafe-hVzC-qFBrV8Oy6rXny2ZqdHqENXoJkC8AgEf1LnmTnRzmwmSaUCNyKU0j9XWjjPMMlFs6zEdInW~OQ7Bqynh5w3HEVjAVxBX4rrScetRM6xuxj7aAIsAEMBe6R1WEHGO4w6wy-SI8mEoNuoUSi-MokclfNU4MrN2Qv3ZLDVZ-9COcn8qUHoU6KnhtaVTue56nm~N-STSHTz5rTQgysyUmBJfczivpGM5vQ9gXfplMa15uxr1zk96Sww6w7dju5e5gzv41rOxWghcDVJMyB4XKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State tourism leaders, regional business owners and Quebec officials told a joint hearing of the Vermont House Commerce & Economic Development Committee and the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee on April 10 that a recent national political climate and possible tariffs are depressing Canadian visitation and threatening local businesses.

“Tourism is a huge economic engine for Vermont, employing over 30,000 Vermonters all over the state and bringing in $4,000,000 in visitor spending in 2023,” said Heather Pelham, Commissioner of the Department of Enforcement and Marketing for the state of Vermont. Pelham told lawmakers Canada accounts for about 5% of statewide visitation and roughly 750,000 visits that generate about $150,000,000 in spending annually, but she warned the effect is concentrated in border communities where Canadian visitors can make up 30% or more of people who come to a town.

Why it matters: Canadian visitors are a major source of revenue for northern resorts and for small businesses that rely on summer and fall travel. Several witnesses said declines in cross‑border travel are already showing up in reservations and season‑pass sales and could ripple through lodging, events and restaurants.

Jay Peak Resort’s general manager, Steve Wright, said the resort’s United States customer base is up year‑over‑year but Canadian season pass sales are down sharply. “Our US side is up 15%. We are off 80% with Canadian season pass sales at this point,” Wright said, adding that Canadian hockey teams and golf groups also canceled bookings and that those losses reduce revenue that supports hundreds of jobs.

Rene Sylvester, Quebec’s delegate to New England, told the committees that trade and tourism ties are deep: “Bilateral trades reach 2,300,000,000.0 US dollars,” and said Canadians are watching developments in Washington. He urged Vermont to continue outreach and joint events to reassure Quebecers they remain welcome.

Small businesses described immediate effects. A Red Hen Baking Company owner said bakery sales rely on a summer‑to‑fall tourism surge and that tariff‑related input price increases would force higher customer prices. Will Greenwald of Basin Harbor Resort said group business and housing for seasonal workers are particular pressure points for resorts that operate a short, intensive season.

State tourism officials and industry groups asked lawmakers to support continued marketing and engagement with Canadian markets and to watch federal grant timelines. Pelham said the agency is managing a roughly $10,000,000 Economic Development Administration (EDA) award and that about $5,000,000 remains to be billed; because the grant is reimbursement‑based, delayed billing and payment could put those subgrants at risk.

No formal actions or votes were taken at the hearing. Committees and industry groups said they will continue outreach, marketing and coordination to try to limit further declines in cross‑border travel and to support businesses that report immediate revenue, staffing and capital‑spending stress.

“The state should continue to invest in the Canadian market and be thoughtful about what we are saying to them,” Wright said.

The hearing continued with additional industry panels and a planned press conference later in the day.","Tourism industry witnesses told a joint House and Senate hearing April 10 that falling Canadian travel, possible tariffs and hostile federal rhetoric are already cutting bookings and could put federal grant-funded projects and seasonal businesses at risk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resorts and hospitality operators say seasonal workforce and housing shortages limit recovery

Kingdom Trails: Mountain‑bike tourism fuels Northeast Kingdom economy, but Canadian declines threaten revenue

Museums and attractions warn of lower attendance and federal grant cuts

Vermont tourism leaders warn Canadian visitation drop, tariffs and federal rhetoric threaten businesses