Holiday travel uptick offers optimism for 2021 tourism in Greater Akron-Canton

Travel for most amid a global pandemic has consisted of walking from the office, er, dining room, to the lunchroom, um, kitchen.

And the really adventurous in the Akron area have trekked out to exotic locales like World Market in Fairlawn.

There are glimmers of hope that some resemblance of business and leisure travel will resume in the new year.

Travel over Christmas was more robust than it's been since the coronavirus arrived with a vengeance in Ohio back in February.

Stay at home orders and travel advisories put a halt to most work and family trips for months.

It was so grim back in April the daily passenger count at the Akron-Canton Airport was mere 30 souls — a far cry from the 2,000 or so who would typically pass through the gates.

Things have improved some, but the passenger count through October (the last month readily available) was 254,135 — down some 68% compared to the year before.

There was some further improvement over Thanksgiving, said CAK spokeswoman Lisa Dalpiaz, and even more travelers through the airport for Christmas.

"We are certainly seeing an uptick," she said. "Family and friends were traveling to see one another."

Dalpiaz credits the hopeful news of the vaccines and measures taken by the airlines and the airport to ensure cleanliness and safety of guests.

"Folks are getting more comfortable traveling," she said.

A travel survey from AAA Ohio Auto Club seems to back that notion up.

The survey found 59% of Ohioans were considering a trip in 2021.

But 56% said they were still "somewhat" or "very uncomfortable" with traveling in the new year.

In spite of this, 59% indicated they still considering taking a trip that included an overnight stay with just 31% already making reservations.

“These results show that Ohioans want to travel, but are still uncertain about what 2021 will bring,” said Jeremy Marshal, vice president of travel sales for AAA Ohio Auto Club. “As long as coronavirus concerns remain, we will likely continue to see more spur-of-the-moment travel decisions to outdoor destinations such as parks and outdoor attractions in Ohio and surrounding states.”

This is good news for places like Akron's Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.

It was closed to tours for months and was forced to cancel many of its signature events as a result of restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

The loss of visitors — coupled with revenue raised by special events and rentals — put a $300,000 hole in the historic estate's coffers.

Further losses were offset by federal pandemic assistance, along with generous donations by boosters.

Executive Director Sean Joyce said some of those losses may be further offset by ticket sales to its annual Deck the Hall nighttime Christmas events.

Most nights were sold out this year, Joyce said, as they had to reduce the number of tickets available to ensure social distancing.

There were a large number of first-time visitors to the estate of the Goodyear Tire founder.

Joyce said many traditional holiday attractions were canceled this year so it gave families a chance to check out the Manor House and its decked out garden light displays.

The estate is now closed for the season until late spring.

But Joyce said there are hopeful signs for 2021 as the phones are already ringing with tour bus operators looking to book excursions — something that didn't happen in 2020.

The plan as of now, Joyce said, is to start the season like last year ended with masks required and only self-guided tours of the huge Manor House.

But they are planning to resume special events, with the first big one being the car show on Father's Day.

"You never know what is around the corner," he said. "The positive thing is people are looking for things to do."

The desire to get out the house is playing out in future bookings for flights in and out of Akron.

The airport says booking trends indicate more and more folks are booking future flights some 60 to 90 days in advance and planning to stay at their destination an average of two weeks.

Another positive trend, Dalpiaz said, is flights are being added, including seasonal flights to the south, along with a new direct flight from Akron to Washington, D.C.

More:Akron-Canton Airport adds daily route to Washington-Dulles, earns recognition

"We are feeling hopeful," she said. "Particularly with the vaccine, it should be a game-changer for us."

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.