CFJC Today file image / Kent Simmonds

By Dylana Kneeshaw

LOCAL TOURISM

Tourism Kamloops looks ahead to fall and winter season after wildfire-challenged summer

Aug 30, 2021 | 5:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — While many tourism businesses in the Interior had a successful summer, Tourism Kamloops says others had a very different environment to work through.

With restrictions easing in July, tourism operators had been looking forward to Step Three of B.C.’s reopening plan, but the aggressive wildfire season created some challenges.

Tourism Kamloops Director of Industry Relations and Communications Monica Dickinson says hotel operators did get busy with room bookings from evacuees and the return of some sporting events.

“Our occupancy rates were that of a typical summer season that we would see. So high occupancy rates in the 80s and 90s and that fared very well,” she notes, “But of course air quality was very much a challenge during wildfire time. And therefore, our attraction and event partners that were hopeful to get back and enjoy a peak season certainly did not feel business as they would have normally.”

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Between the prolonged financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, labour shortages, and a historic wildfire season, Dickinson notes there is still a strong need for business relief supports from provincial and federal governments.

Heading into the fall, Tourism Kamloops plans to continue with regionally focused marketing, and hopes to expand as international travel returns.

“I’m hopeful that with the new B.C vaccine card that this will be a measure that supports our businesses getting back on their feet while keeping our community safe, and we’re able to welcome our guests back as we normally do,” adds Dickinson, “And hopefully within that period we’ll see events and sport come back to what we’re used to.”