Image Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

By James Peters

COVID-19

Rocky Mountaineer cancels 2020 season

Jul 22, 2020 | 4:22 PM

VANCOUVER — It’s a big blow to the Kamloops tourism sector.

Rocky Mountaineer has announced it will suspend the remainder of its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a news release, President and CEO Steve Sammut said the company was “incredibly disappointed” to make the announcement Wednesday (July 22), but said continued travel and health restrictions gave the company no choice.

“Like so many in the tourism and hospitality industry, the pandemic has had an overwhelmingly negative impact on our business,” said Sammut.

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Customers whose departures were cancelled by the suspended season will be given future credit for 110 per cent of their monies paid, valid through the 2022 season. Rail prices for the 2021 and 2022 seasons will not increase, according to the company.

The rail tour company regularly brings thousands of tourists into Kamloops for overnight stays.

In 2018, the company estimated its economic impact to Kamloops to be between $47 million and $49 million.