About two months ago, my wife and her friend wanted to attend a Class Reunion on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
We had a great idea: The new cruise ferry ‘Nova Star’ had just begun operations; I could drive the girls to Yarmouth and stay there overnight; they could board the ferry to Portland, Maine, where they would be met by their girlfriend, who was also attending the Reunion.
I need to explain here that I use a walker, cannot use steps, and need ‘handicapped’ facilities in a motel room, including grab bars in the washroom.
I phoned our favourite motel in Yarmouth, which had such facilities, and asked for a reservation for our departure date.
The clerk pointed out that they had done extensive renovations, and that the room I requested was not available.
Thanking her, I phoned the next motel on our list, and asked about reserving a ‘handicapped’ room.
Reply: “We do not have any.”
Thanking her in her turn, I phoned the largest hotel in town (which I will not name), which bills itself on its website as, “This full-service 3 1/2 star hotel boasts 135 large guest rooms, each with the modern and amenities you would expect to find.”
I made my reservation request, asking about extra facilities.
Reply, after a long pause: Yes, we do.
C.P.: Do you have such a room available for that date?
Clerk: (Long pause): Yes we do.
(Long pause) C.P.: Could I make a reservation, please?
Clerk: (Long pause): Yes, you can.
-- Please note that I have to ask each question; no invitation or next-step detail is ever offered.
And we proceeded to register the details of date, rates, etc. on my reservation.
C.P.: By the way, how many such rooms do you have?
Clerk: (Long pause): One.
I could not hide my shock, and asked her to repeat the number, which she did.
(I would not have been so rattled if she had said, one per floor.)
-- The largest hotel in Yarmouth has ONE ‘handicapped’ room!
When I inquired as to whether that room was available for the next week, when I would be picking up the girls at the ferry, the clerk replied that it was not available.
Therefore, a week later, I had to drive from Bedford to meet the girls, by getting on the road at 4:45 a.m.
The overnight stay itself was satisfactory; a minimal upgrade had been done in the room, it was rather small but it appeared to meet all my needs.
Your Honour, during the five-year gap between ferry service to Portland, we heard many stories that tourism was hurting in Yarmouth and Western Nova Scotia.
What were the tourist operators doing while they were waiting for a new ferry?
From my experience, the hospitality industry was clearly not ready this spring to welcome the influx of tourists to your area.
I would strongly suggest, Your Honour, that you and Town Council use all the powers available to you to encourage local tourism operators to improve their infrastructure and staff training as soon as possible.
Yours respectfully,
etc.
-- Copies to all motels / hotel mentioned above.
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