The Vermont Chamber was invited to address challenges in the aftermath of this summer’s catastrophic flooding during a meeting convened by Senator Peter Welch. Along with partner organizations and members of the Vermont tourism and hospitality industries, Vermont Chamber VP of Tourism Amy Spear shared how the visitor economy across the state came to a halt in the wake of the flooding. Even as traffic rebounded, attractions in unimpacted areas still experienced a notable decrease in visitor traffic.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the impact that the pandemic, Canadian wildfires, and other distressing events have had on tourism in recent years. Senator Welch highlighted the state’s resilience and emphasized the significance of Vermont’s tourism industry and its role in driving the Vermont economy, expressing gratitude for the shared commitment to rebuild despite adversities. In recent weeks, the Vermont congressional delegation has called for additional federal assistance, including increasing the FEMA cap for hazard mitigation and making SBA loans forgivable.