Freedoms to operate small business needs to be supported for economic growth. Careful not to over regulate at the expense of the tax payer's pocket. Creating an administrative workload should not be the design for growth.
M
Marthe Jocelyn
9 years ago
I can't think of a better way to upset a great number of tourists than cancelling their reservations with welcoming locals. When did Stratford turn into so rigid a community that every creative endeavour needs to be stamped out with a ludicrous law?
J
John Herrick
9 years ago
My wife and I have been going to the Stratford Festival every year since 1999. We love Stratford and the amazing theater that we see there. Our only complaint, prior to Airbnb and VRBO accommodations becoming available, has been the lack of variety in available hotel/B&B options, especially apartment type accommodation that allows us to eat some of our meals in during our 1-2 week stays. Also, we frankly feel that some of the B&B options are of a lower quality standard that what we prefer. These non-B&B rentals fill that gap and are our preferred option, especially as we usually rent a place large enough to have family and friends stay with us and see shows while we are there. We urge the Town of Stratford to change its by-laws to allow these types of rentals to continue.
P
Patricia comer
9 years ago
We have stayed short term for three years and could not have done it otherwise. We love stratford and hope we can continue
To visit and enjoy the town theater and restaurants and shops.
S
Scott Sharot
9 years ago
I travel every year to the festival with a group of four friends. We always rent an apartment nearby so we can cook our own meals and walk to the theater. If we
are forced to go hotels and dine at the limited number of overpriced dining options in Stratford...we will be forced to
make other plans. This is very sad news. But we've wanted to try thr Ashland Shakespeare Festival in Oregon. I hope you make a decision about all this soon.So we can make plans.
L
Louis MacPherson
9 years ago
As a visitor and patron of the Festival for more than 25 years, short term rentals have enhanced / enabled our ability to introduce friends from abroad to become new & future fans of the Festival, as well as enhance our ability to socialize with people we have met over the many years and our now dear friends. In other words, STA have unquestionably facilitated: longer stays, introduced a new audience as a consequence of being able to visit friends, family or guests already in Stratford, increased spending throughout the Stratford economy that goes beyond just the Festival, and enriched my experience and others at the Festival and Stratford culturally, intellectually and socially. Frankly, it has also been getting more and more difficult to find B & B availability for stays longer than a few days, thus the need for an additional rental / tourist model. It really is a win-win-win scenario for not only the Festival and theatre lovers, but the town of Stratford and its environs as well.
K
Kelly Monaghan
9 years ago
These non-B&B rentals are a vital new component to Stratford's tourism mix. My wife and I visit for several months at a time, If this option were not available we could not stay as long and Stratford's restaurants and shops would receive fewer of our dollars. We have stayed in Stratford B&Bs and they are wonderful! But a full month of those calorific breakfasts? I don't think so.
E
Elisabeth Feryn
9 years ago
More options in accommodations = more business for everyone in the City of Stratford and surrounding area. Please keep the playing field OPEN as it will attract more business overall.
C
Carolyn Herrick
9 years ago
My husband have been attending the Festival annually for many years. There has always been a lack of affordable accommodation, particularly for families. I believe it is important to introduce children to theatre at a young age and being able to rent an apartment rather than a hotel room or (non-child friendly) B&B is critical for families. In our case, our children are grown and we now live overseas. Thus, being able to host friends & family in an apartment during our visit to the Festival is critical to us. If we can no longer do this, we will likely shorten our time in Stratford in future years.
J
Jane Van Nes
9 years ago
These type of lodgings are vital to today's tourist! I booked accommodations in Montreal and Mont Tremblant through Airbnb while travelling this past winter.and will continue to do so on future travels.
R
Rob Bradshaw
9 years ago
You need to embrace changing technology and work with it.
C
Corina Lupu
9 years ago
Airbnb is my preferred type of accommodation and it's availability can be a deciding factor for me to attend the festival or not.
J
John Doerr
9 years ago
Accommodation like this needed in a tourist place like Stratford. Hotels and B&B do not suit all tourists. Families need a place to setup a home environment.
N
nancy fair
9 years ago
Keeps families and young people able to travel with ease
B
Bryon Brooks
9 years ago
All large cities coast to coast have short term accommodation available. The people offering it should be recognized for offering it.
L
Laurie Knechtel
9 years ago
We cannot claim to be a "smart" city if we do not embrace change. The style of accommodation is the preference of many a tourist. To deny this option is to alienate a growing numbers of new and returning visitors. The trend is only going to get stronger. If we don't buy in now, when?
M
Michael Bannerman
9 years ago
Featured
As a family of 6, the short term air bnb accommodation/rental situation is often the only way to affordably travel for us. I can't imagine a large tourist based city such as Stratford not having them available. Thanks!!
G
Genevieve Acuna
9 years ago
Restricting these type of accommodations that are so well-loved and sought after all over the world would send a pretty negative publicity message that could hurt Stratford's tourism revenue.
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
I'd love to visit Stratford and stay at someone's house rather than a hotel.
D
Darquise Nantel
9 years ago
Hotels are often not even an option and shuts down one's chances of travelling. Air bnb provided these opportunities. It isnt air bnb or hotel... it is, can i afford a vacation? With air bnb yes, with a hotel often no! Rather than thinking about the business, think about the visitors.
Freedoms to operate small business needs to be supported for economic growth. Careful not to over regulate at the expense of the tax payer's pocket. Creating an administrative workload should not be the design for growth.
I can't think of a better way to upset a great number of tourists than cancelling their reservations with welcoming locals. When did Stratford turn into so rigid a community that every creative endeavour needs to be stamped out with a ludicrous law?
My wife and I have been going to the Stratford Festival every year since 1999. We love Stratford and the amazing theater that we see there. Our only complaint, prior to Airbnb and VRBO accommodations becoming available, has been the lack of variety in available hotel/B&B options, especially apartment type accommodation that allows us to eat some of our meals in during our 1-2 week stays. Also, we frankly feel that some of the B&B options are of a lower quality standard that what we prefer. These non-B&B rentals fill that gap and are our preferred option, especially as we usually rent a place large enough to have family and friends stay with us and see shows while we are there. We urge the Town of Stratford to change its by-laws to allow these types of rentals to continue.
We have stayed short term for three years and could not have done it otherwise. We love stratford and hope we can continue To visit and enjoy the town theater and restaurants and shops.
I travel every year to the festival with a group of four friends. We always rent an apartment nearby so we can cook our own meals and walk to the theater. If we are forced to go hotels and dine at the limited number of overpriced dining options in Stratford...we will be forced to make other plans. This is very sad news. But we've wanted to try thr Ashland Shakespeare Festival in Oregon. I hope you make a decision about all this soon.So we can make plans.
As a visitor and patron of the Festival for more than 25 years, short term rentals have enhanced / enabled our ability to introduce friends from abroad to become new & future fans of the Festival, as well as enhance our ability to socialize with people we have met over the many years and our now dear friends. In other words, STA have unquestionably facilitated: longer stays, introduced a new audience as a consequence of being able to visit friends, family or guests already in Stratford, increased spending throughout the Stratford economy that goes beyond just the Festival, and enriched my experience and others at the Festival and Stratford culturally, intellectually and socially. Frankly, it has also been getting more and more difficult to find B & B availability for stays longer than a few days, thus the need for an additional rental / tourist model. It really is a win-win-win scenario for not only the Festival and theatre lovers, but the town of Stratford and its environs as well.
These non-B&B rentals are a vital new component to Stratford's tourism mix. My wife and I visit for several months at a time, If this option were not available we could not stay as long and Stratford's restaurants and shops would receive fewer of our dollars. We have stayed in Stratford B&Bs and they are wonderful! But a full month of those calorific breakfasts? I don't think so.
More options in accommodations = more business for everyone in the City of Stratford and surrounding area. Please keep the playing field OPEN as it will attract more business overall.
My husband have been attending the Festival annually for many years. There has always been a lack of affordable accommodation, particularly for families. I believe it is important to introduce children to theatre at a young age and being able to rent an apartment rather than a hotel room or (non-child friendly) B&B is critical for families. In our case, our children are grown and we now live overseas. Thus, being able to host friends & family in an apartment during our visit to the Festival is critical to us. If we can no longer do this, we will likely shorten our time in Stratford in future years.
These type of lodgings are vital to today's tourist! I booked accommodations in Montreal and Mont Tremblant through Airbnb while travelling this past winter.and will continue to do so on future travels.
You need to embrace changing technology and work with it.
Airbnb is my preferred type of accommodation and it's availability can be a deciding factor for me to attend the festival or not.
Accommodation like this needed in a tourist place like Stratford. Hotels and B&B do not suit all tourists. Families need a place to setup a home environment.
Keeps families and young people able to travel with ease
All large cities coast to coast have short term accommodation available. The people offering it should be recognized for offering it.
We cannot claim to be a "smart" city if we do not embrace change. The style of accommodation is the preference of many a tourist. To deny this option is to alienate a growing numbers of new and returning visitors. The trend is only going to get stronger. If we don't buy in now, when?
As a family of 6, the short term air bnb accommodation/rental situation is often the only way to affordably travel for us. I can't imagine a large tourist based city such as Stratford not having them available. Thanks!!
Restricting these type of accommodations that are so well-loved and sought after all over the world would send a pretty negative publicity message that could hurt Stratford's tourism revenue.
I'd love to visit Stratford and stay at someone's house rather than a hotel.
Hotels are often not even an option and shuts down one's chances of travelling. Air bnb provided these opportunities. It isnt air bnb or hotel... it is, can i afford a vacation? With air bnb yes, with a hotel often no! Rather than thinking about the business, think about the visitors.