The pandemic might have wiped out most tourist activity last year, but due to some “serious conservative budgeting,” Tourism Moose Jaw managed to finish 2020 with a small surplus.
The organization had $236,743 in revenue and $228,614 in expenses last year, for a surplus of $8,129. In comparison, it raised $355,702 in revenue and had $348,083 in expenses in 2019, leading to a surplus of $7,619, according to year-end financial statements.
The biggest drop in revenue last year occurred with trolley tours, which brought in $15,353 versus $83,042 in 2019, a difference of $67,689.
The second-biggest drop in revenue was with merchandise sales, dropping to $20,704 compared to $68,095 two years ago, a difference of $47,391. The third-largest decline occurred with Sidewalk Days income, which dropped to $7,708 versus $46,572 two years ago, a difference of $38,864.
COVID-19 wage subsidies of $28,705 helped keep the budget in the black for the year.
Having a surplus after a difficult year was due to some “serious conservative budgeting” and is positive going into another pandemic year, executive director Jacki L’Heureux-Mason said during Tourism Moose Jaw’s online annual meeting on May 31. The organization held off on making repairs to the trolley since it wasn’t sure if other priorities might arise during the year.
“We operate to spend our money as we need to for our membership, so it was a good decision not knowing what was coming up for the year,” she added.
Tourism Moose Jaw was thankful that members paid their dues and that it acquired grant funding while income from more than 26 True Crime trolley tours also proved beneficial, L’Heureux-Mason said. The organization was relieved to finish 2020 with a surplus.
Board president’s report
2020 was “an extraordinary year” where Tourism Moose Jaw had to find new ways to do business, which L’Heureux-Mason and her team did well despite big obstacles, board president Kelly Carty said in her report. Meanwhile, the decline in visitor numbers to the tourism centre reflected how it was closed for weeks and only partially open for the remainder of the year.
Tourism Moose Jaw supported the community during the year by hosting a memorial to Snowbirds Capt. Jenn Casey. Carty commended tourism staff for this endeavour.
Executive director’s report
Last year was tough and many people suffered during that unprecedented time, L’Heureux-Mason said while giving her report. She laid off every employee at the office while she checked the office daily for three months for security purposes.
Partnerships became important last year, with the organization working with the downtown association to develop a picnic area on Fairford Street, she continued. While there was a slow uptake of downtown workers using the venue, it was still a good gathering spot and will operate again this year.
The ability to acquire grant funding ensured that the organization produced a conservative budget and brought back almost all employees, who were refreshed and ready to work in July, L’Heureux-Mason said.
While 2020 was difficult, L’Heureux-Mason added that she had high hopes for the future and expected to see a rebound of tourists eager to spend their money in Moose Jaw.
