What lies beyond the pandemic? MassForward is MassLive’s series examining the journey of Massachusetts’ small businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
________________
Summer is around the corner and for communities on Cape Cod, that normally means it’s time for tourism to drive the economy. However, with Gov. Charlie Baker announcing on Tuesday the extension of his executive order for the closure of non-essential businesses through May 18, realtors have grown concerned.
Cape Cod’s economy is driven by short-term rentals between June and August, according to Cape Cod Island Association of Realtors CEO Ryan Castle, making the prospect of the extended closures worrying to many people outside of the rental industry as well.
“Short-term rentals drive the entire economy,” said Castle. “From restaurants and stores, to the paddleboard shop to whatever. So, I think that it will have a negative effect if the summer is not what it should be.”
Baker announced restrictions on March 31 for hotels and short-term rentals across Massachusetts, barring them from hosting vacationers during the coronavirus pandemic.
“People aren’t sure what they’re going to do yet. I think that this is kind of a wait-and-see approach to see what happens,” said Castle.
The restrictions, issued through a Department of Public Health order, state that short-term rentals, hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts and similar lodging services are barred from housing people on vacation, even if they already had reservations.
Castle told MassLive that vacation home renters are waiting to see how this will all play out.
The Cape Cod Island Association of Realtors issues advice to its members via webinars, industry updates and development seminars.
“We actually advised our members, a couple of days before the shutdown, not to do any short-term rentals,” said Castle. “At least until Memorial Day, to try to save the summer. Because we know the summer’s vitally important for a lot of homeowners and businesses around the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.”
Baker on Tuesday announced that he extended Massachusetts’ stay-at-home advisory until May 18, two weeks later than the state was scheduled to open. He added that medical experts believe the business closures, stay-at-home advisories and other measures have helped reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Some business leaders across the state continue to push for Baker to lift the executive order closing non-essential businesses. A group of protesters drove to the governor’s house in Swampscott, calling for him to reopen.
“I think none of us know what’s around the corner, but we’re hopeful,” said Castle. “We’re hopeful because Cape Cod has always been a drive-to destination and so hopefully [when] this virus gets out of the way, people are not going to be going overseas. They’re not going to be going on cruises. They’re not going to be going to maybe where they had planned.”
Castle is confident that not only will business in the vacation real estate industry be OK in the summer but that it could even be better as people look to vacation closer to home rather than risk flying to a destination abroad amid the pandemic.
“A lot of the calls that are coming in from our guests that are asking questions regarding cancellations. The majority still do want to come,” said Oceanview Realty Rental Manager Carla Hemmings. “Our cancellations have been minimal compared to what it can be.”
According to Castle, some realtors are implementing a 30-day cancellation policy over the summer. But he added that until there is more direction on when the ban on short-term rentals is lifted it is hard to say what will happen.
Many rental companies have been looking at not only adjusting their cancellation policy in light of the coronavirus but lowering the prices of vacation homes in the Cape.
“I've heard some people may have to lower prices, but I think right now everything's up in the air,” said Castle. “People aren't sure what they're going to do yet. I think that it’s kind of a wait-and-see approach.”
Hemmings said that if the state didn’t open up the Cape for the busy periods between June through August, it would be devastating for the area.
“If they were to shut down completely, meaning they do not allow us to do any short-term rentals during that particular time frame. It would be devastating, absolutely devastating to the Cape,” said Hemmings. “We rely on tourism and we rely on these particular months.”
MassForward is MassLive's series examining the journey of Massachusetts' small businesses through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
Related Content:
"term" - Google News
April 29, 2020 at 02:32AM
https://ift.tt/2yPSCSY
Coronavirus delays to opening Cape Cod for short-term rentals could be, 'absolutely devastating’ - MassLive.com
"term" - Google News
https://ift.tt/35lXs52
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Coronavirus delays to opening Cape Cod for short-term rentals could be, 'absolutely devastating’ - MassLive.com"
Post a Comment