By Tarrah Harvey

Kamloops restaurants still waiting to cash in from Women’s Worlds

Mar 30, 2016 | 5:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — For some restaurants taking part in The Road to Gold festivities during this weeks Women’s World Hockey Championships, the turnout has been surprising, and not in a good way. It’s mid way through the week and so far downtown restaurants are saying they’re disappointed in the number of people dinning at their establishments.

WATCH: Kamloops restaurants still waiting to cash in from Women’s Worlds
 

“(It’s been) busier than normal, not quite as busy as I expected for the games, we were expecting some more numbers like when we have concerts and stuff on,” said Trevor Fraser, the manager of Carlos O’Bryan’s.

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The tourism industry, however, say they have noticed an influx of visitors.

“Those being athletes and families that are here for the sports, and then those that want to come and attend and take in the sites and the events themselves, so we’re certainly feeling the uplift of the visitation in the community,” said Monica Dickinson from Tourism Kamloops.

Tourism Kamloops says they’re hopeful the international visitors will have a lasting affect.

“Our hope is that they get a taste of Kamloops now in March and that they make plans to come back in the summer and fall to participate in some of our tourism events and attractions,”said Dickinson.

Eight restaurants downtown have transformed into the international houses for the week where they are hosting different celebrations. So far, those restaurants haven’t seen as much of an international presence as they were anticipating.

“We’ve just had our local Kamloops or Kelowna people, that kind of a thing, but yeah, I was hoping to see a lot more people from all over the place,” said Alanah Pawlachuk, manager of Boston Pizza.

But Dino Bernardo, who’s restaurant, The Commodore, has been turned into Russia House, is hopeful the weekend will bring more traffic. He says because the Pee Wee hockey championship is going on simultaneously, it’s a different atmosphere in the city.

“It’s more of a family event right now, I think as the weekend progresses, as we start getting into Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I think that’s when we’re going to start seeing a big benefit down here, and hopefully on Monday when Canada wins a gold all the houses will be packed with people streaming out and wanting to celebrate these women’s achievements,” said Bernardo.

The women’s games resume tomorrow beginning at 1:00 pm when Japan takes on the Czech Republic.