By James Peters

Kamloops tourism, recreation businesses take big hit from smoky sky

Aug 18, 2018 | 9:14 AM

KAMLOOPS — When smoke fills the air, very few people want to spend time outside.

In fact, with smoke concentration levels this high, health professionals advise everyone to stay inside, including those with healthy respiratory systems.

That spells trouble for businesses who rely on people wanting to spend time outdoors.

Justin Matulionis is the general manager of Treetop Flyers, a zipline experience near Chase.

Matulionis says the company will withstand the hit, but he has noticed a difference in customer behaviour.

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“A lot of people, this year especially, are booking the day of or the day before. They’re basing it on how the smoke conditions are,” said Matulionis, who notes perception of the smoke and fire situation is a major factor for his customers, many of whom travel to B.C. from Alberta.

“Last year, we definitely saw a little bit of a bigger impact than this year,” said Matulionis. “I think the smoke rolled in a little bit later this year. So I think that helped us a little bit. It also helps that last year the perception [outside the province] was that B.C. was on fire, so we had quite a few less travelers coming through.”

Matulionis estimates business was down 15-30 per cent due to the 2017 fires, but has rebounded slightly this summer.

In Kamloops, golf courses are being hit hard.

Mount Paul Golf Course and Driving Range owner Dan Latin says the moment smoke fills the sky, golfers stay home.

“The smoke really hits us hard,” said Latin. “Like anyone in the outdoor industry… people are just staying inside, not doing anything.”

Latin says this year’s smoke impact is eerily similar to the hit he took last year.

“We were going pretty good into July, and the smoke hit the second or third week of July and we immediately saw a drop in traffic,” said Latin. “Likewise this year, we were going pretty good, we’ve been doing all right for the most part but today is socked in pretty good and our parking lot is pretty quiet where normally we’d have a bit of traffic.”

Latin acknowledges it’s a helpless feeling, knowing there’s nothing he can do to boost business.

“We hope it blows through and gets back to normal. The heat is one thing but this adds to it and makes it that much more difficult to get people out.”