By Chad Klassen

Tourism being given a major boost with plethora of sporting events

Aug 8, 2018 | 6:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — While the smoke has returned to the city, it’s nothing like last summer when tourism in Kamloops took a major hit. This year has seen one event after another — from the World Junior Summer Showcase last week to the under-15 and under-17 boys’ national basketball championships this week.

There are players, coaches and family in Kamloops from all across the country. 

“We’re from the Prince Edward Island team. I’m from the eastern part, Surrey, but we’re all over,” says P.E.I. parent Gail Chasson. 

They’re staying in hotels, eating out, and taking in the city. 

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“The mountains are beautiful, I’ve been touring the town on the buses. There are 13 routes, I’ve done nine. I’m going to finish it before the end of the week,” says fellow P.E.I. parent Don Norman. “With a bit of luck, my youngest son and I are going to go camping around this area, and in the Kootenays, Rockies.”

Norman is taking full advantage of his time here in B.C. He’s loved Kamloops so far, and his favourite part has been the people. 

“Kamloops is a beautiful city. Everyone’s friendly. I know six bus drivers already,” he notes. “I’ve rode with three of them a couple of times. They’re giving me carte blanche treatment. It’s really a lot of fun.”

The players are loving Kamloops, too, including the facilities at the TCC. 

“At first I thought it was different because I’ve never been here before, but coming here I really like it,” says U-17 Team Alberta player Brandon Muntu. “It reminds me of Vegas a little. It’s nice. It’s nice and hot here. I like it.”

There are about 270 players competing, and that number more than doubles if you include coaches, parents, and supporters. Tourism Kamloops says the hotels and local businesses have been major beneficiaries from all this activity. 

“When we invite folks to our city, the average leisure visitor contributes $170 per night per visitor,” says Tourism Kamloops CEO Beverley DeSantis. “So when we look at these sporting events and these other events that bring visitors overnight, every day that you see those folks in our city you can add $170 into the economy.”

For Norman, he’s extending his B.C. trip into next week, taking advantage of being out here. Norman just hopes he can convince his son Jeremy, playing this week in Kamloops, to join him. That, however, may be a tall order. 

“I don’t know if I’m that dedicated to camping here, but I’ll give it a thought,” says Jeremy. We might go mountain climbing a bit, but full camping for a week, I don’t know about that after a tournament. We’ll see.”