Salem Walking Tour Guides Take Big Hit This Halloween Season

SALEM, MA — The calls keep coming even though the space available has long been sold out and the pleas to "Stay away from Salem" this Halloween season are coming loud, clear and consistent from the city.

State coronavirus-related restrictions have whittled the hordes of ghost-story hunters bounding through the streets and graveyards of the Witch City typical of this time of year to groups of 10. Smaller groups mean fewer tips for the tour guides, who had previously been able to make a living in the tourism industry with one big income boost arriving each October.

"This isn't just hurting our company," Salem Ghost Tours manager Josef Kruger told Patch on Wednesday. "This is hurting all companies in Salem. We think of the tour industry in Salem as an ecosystem. When we all had to shut down in the spring and summer, it hurt everyone. If other businesses are failing, we are all failing during COVID.

"We are trying to figure out how to keep our businesses open. Some people have been doing this their whole lives."

Salem Ghosts Tours is looking to do its part through a grant program for tour businesses and tour guides in the city. The Salem company, along with US Ghost Adventures, has dedicated $3,000 in grants to be awarded in $100 blocks to up to 30 industry employees.

While Kruger allows that amount will not make up for all that has been lost in recent months — and especially in recent weeks — the hope is the gesture will act as encouragement to those in the industry that they are not alone in a business that is filled with independent contractors who have trouble getting the full benefits of traditional unemployment.

"Without the guides we have nothing," Kruger said. "It's like an olive branch to the other companies, and the city of Salem."

The city has promoted a "Turn Back Now" campaign this month aimed at limiting crowds downtown, which has included closing parking garages early in the day on weekends, issuing business curfews and having trains out of Boston bypass the Salem station on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Walking tours, which could normally be up to 50 people, are limited to 10 people since they were allowed again this summer. While Kurger, and others in the industry, have expressed frustration that outdoor walking tours are limited to 20 percent capacity when indoor museums and tour trolleys in most parts of the state are allowed up to 50 percent capacity in the second step of phase 3 of the state's reopening, he said he understands most officials are trying to balance safety with allowing as many industries to earn something as possible.

"It's literally the safest thing we can do being outside walking around with masks and social distance," Kruger determined. "The communication is great even if it is rough to hear people say in a city like Salem, where Halloween is everything, not to visit for Halloween.

"But we've had positive interactions with the mayor and the state. We know they have a lot to balance."

Salem Ghosts Tours has also developed a personalized walking tour app, which can be downloaded and taken without a live tour guide at any time in the city, and Ghostflix, which is a virtual tour that can be viewed on demand at home.

Those looking to apply for one of the grants can go here where they will need to provide their tour guide license and verification information.

"Walking tours are an important expression of free speech that play a role in preserving American history," said Lance Zaal, founder of US Ghost Adventures. "We understand this to be a very difficult time for every party involved, and for that we are happy to also provide support to our competitors and their employees during this time of crisis.

"The city of Salem is great because of its people, and it is our pleasure to give back during their time of need."

Kruger said Salem Ghost Tours were sold out through October since the beginning of the month, and have actually been hiring throughout the fall because the capacity limits require more guides to fill the demand, even if those conducting the tours are making less money per trip.

He requests that those who may have missed out on a walking tour during the Halloween season come back in November or December on a spooky nice night.

"If you didn't get to make it here during Halloween," he said, "well, it's still Salem in November. It's still haunted. There are still ghosts.

"Come on out and we'll keep you entertained."

More Salem Halloween Patch Coverage: Salem To Restrict Pedestrian Mall Amid 'Super Frustrating' Crowds

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