image Credit: File Photo/Tourism Kamloops

By Adam Donnelly

NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK

Tourism Kamloops optimistic for bounceback 2023 for industry during National Tourism Week

Apr 25, 2023 | 11:28 AM

KAMLOOPS — This week is National Tourism Week across Canada, which is an opportunity for stakeholders in the tourism industry to connect and celebrate as the peak tourism season approaches.

According to Tourism Kamloops, the industry attracted nearly two million visitors to the city in 2019, which accounted for around half a billion dollars in economic value.

CEO Monica Dickinson says many travellers are ready to put the uncertainty around the pandemic behind them and begin exploring once again.

“The sentiment is definitely one of optimism, and I think we really saw some great return in 2022,” Dickinson says. “All of our events came back in full force. We’ve hosted some major national [events], and we’re working our way to the Memorial Cup in a few weeks, and so the vibe and the energy in the community is good. Our tourism operators are also feeling that comeback.”

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Despite that optimism, Dickinson acknowledges there are some challenges facing the industry, including a continued shortage of labour.

However, she believes the product the city and region offer is top-notch, and that once folks experience it, they’ll want to come back.

“What we’re hearing is the demand for experiences like we have here in Kamloops is where it’s at,” Dickinson says. “People want to get out of the urban areas, they want to explore a little bit more. They want to connect in community, they want to learn what makes a place special. For us as Kamloopsians, we know why we live, work, and play here, and once people have had that Kamloops experience and that Kamloops connection, they know what’s here and want to come back and experience it again and again.”

As part of National Tourism Week, you can download the Luv’n the ‘Loops passport, which will get you a free small ice cream cone at both Scoopz and The Ice Cream Social on April 26.