KAMLOOPS — The first half of 2016 has been exceptional for tourism in Kamloops.
According to a release put out by Tourism Kamloops the Kamloops Visitor Center has seen a 41 per cent increase over last year.
The centre has seen an 18 per cent increase in vistors from BC, 21 percent increase in visitors from Alberta, and 32 per cent more visitors from other Canadian provinces.
Vistors from Europe have also increased by 25 per cent.
Tim Rodgers with the Kamloops Accommodation Association says there had been some concern that fewer Alberta residents would venture to Kamloops because of that province’s struggling economy.
“We are seeing a stabilization of the Alberta market, which is exciting. We were worried about it dropping, but it hasn’t,” explained Rodgers, adding “We’re not seeing the growth that Vancouver and Victoria are seeing, but we think by next year we will start to see those numbers.”
Rodgers attributes healthy 2016 revenues to the city’s hosting of Hockey Day in Canada and the IIHF Women’s World Cup Hockey Championship earlier this year.
