The Visitors Centre in Aberdeen is closed permanently (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

VISITORS CENTRE CLOSED

Some tourists disappointed at closure of visitors centre, Tourism Kamloops defends move

Jun 29, 2020 | 4:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — Ryan Nixon is stopping in Kamloops to dump his sewer line. He’s on his way back home to Yukon. He appreciates visitor centres like the one in Aberdeen.

“It’s always a nice resource, especially not being from B.C. or being in this area before,” said Nixon. “Come in, get some information about what’s around — winery tours, orchards, restaurants, where to go camping.”

However, the visitor centre is closing permanently. Tourism Kamloops says there’s been a decline in visitation to the centre.

“When we looked at the engagement that was happening at the centre and the interactions that were happening with those that were coming in, it came to looking at what a meaningful interaction is. When we say ‘meaningful interaction,’ it meant that fact that we were helping people stay in the city overnight or for multiple nights,” noted Director of Industry Relations & Communications for Tourism Kamloops Monica Dickinson.

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“Suggesting experiences, places to see, things to do, and then referring to our hotel partners. As of last year, we had about 10,000 visitors to the centre, and with that about 1,500 meaningful interactions. So at the end of the day, when you look at the business model, it was costing us about $120 per meaningful interaction.”

Tourism Kamloops has a Jeep. A street team will drive it around to different tourism hotspots.

This is the Jeep Tourism Kamloops will be utilizing this summer to reach out to tourists at different locations around the city (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

“We are itemizing pop-up locations for us to be present where the visitors are,” said Dickinson. “So we know the visitation at the B.C. Wildlife Park is high during peak season, so you’ll see us there. You’ll see us at the wineries, you’ll see us at the trail heads at Kenna Cartwright Park or Peterson Creek.”

The amenities around the visitor centre will continue, but the public won’t be able to enter the building.

Some people say the closure of the visitor centre here in Kamloops won’t have a huge impact on their travel plans. However, many people we spoke with are disappointed it won’t reopen.

“I think it’s too bad because I think that when we’re charging here, we can go in and get some information on cool places to eat or the local things around the area for us to do,” said tourist Tina Day, who was charging her Tesla in the visitor centre parking lot. “We actually do come into Kamloops and usually rent cabins from the local lakes, so we always go somewhere new. It would be nice for us to get go in and find some information.”

On the other hand, Nixon says the value of a visitors centre all depends on the age of a tourist these days.

“You have your cell phone now and Google. I guess it depends on the generation,” he said. “Newer generation have cell phones. The older generation travelling like hands-on, maps, talking one-on-one with someone.”

Tourism Kamloops is hoping their new mobile model results in more engagement and ultimately more stays.