PORT CLINTON, Ohio — As the Ohio tourism season is picking up pace, local businesses are struggling to fill some of their essential jobs.
Mike Snider, mayor of Port Clinton, also works as vice president of rental operations for Lake Erie Vacation Rentals.
He said every year for tourism season, many businesses along the Lake Erie shore depend on the seasonal workers who come from out of the country.
But this year, with borders closed, it is nearly impossible to now fill these vital jobs.
"We've actually had to take some measures where we've had to cut off reservations at a certain point because we knew the next day we're not going to be able to get the rooms cleaned for the guests that are scheduled to arrive," Snider said.
Mike connected WTOL 11 with two women, currently in college, who were supposed to work here this summer through the non-profit Interexchange.
During a usual summer, these two would have worked a full-time job for months, then would have been given another month to travel around the US.
But now, Nink Arpapak from Thailand and Charlene Tu from Taiwan had to cancel their plans and are out nearly a $1,000 in non-refundable expenses.
But beyond that, they are missing out on experiencing a culture that would have helped them in their future careers as well.
"So all of them, most of them, are from USA. So I think it's good program that I can learn and see the real world, not just only on a screen," Nink Arpapak said.
"I want to improve my English abilities and broaden my horizons. And a trip to America would've definitely befitted my career," Charlene Tu said.
Charlene said she has one more year of eligibility to visit the states next year, but Nink said she will have to find another program if she wants to work here again.