Businesses throughout the province have spent the last few weeks working hard to get back to the way things were before the pandemic hit early last year.

Hotels are one industry that was hit hard over the last 16 months when travel restrictions of all kinds were put into place both provincially and internationally.

Lisa Schenner, Sales Manager for Quality Inn and Suites in Moose Jaw, says with the pandemic seemingly slowing down, they are now starting to notice more tourists return to the city.

"During the pandemic, we were still getting a lot of work crews, but now we're seeing leisure come in and out now that people are feeling more comfortable about traveling. We're seeing a big influx in people, and it's not just tourists; we're getting bookings from baseball teams, bookings for hockey tournaments, weddings, anniversaries, we're seeing a big flow of business over the upcoming month and that's only going to build."

While the return of tourists and sports teams is welcome news, there is one thing that the influx of guests has made them realize.

"Now that things have reopened, we need staff," says Schenner. "We need more people, that's the big takeaway from recent weeks."

The problem isn't unique to hotels either, as much of the service industry in the province is in need of employees.

Schenner goes on to say that they've kept all sanitization protocols that have been in place the last few months, and that although things are fully open - they have been serving the breakfast buffet and will continue to serve the full buffet breakfast.