International visitors provide extra boost for local tourism
The clogged streets and sidewalks through the summer months were no illusion.
The world once again came to Victoria for vacation.
Numbers released by Destination B.C. show the U.S. market, Asia-Pacific and Europe all came back to B.C. through the first nine months of the year.
Overall international overnight visitation to British Columbia was up 7.6 per cent to 4.09 million people through the end of September compared with the same period in 2014. American visitation was up 9.2 per cent, Asia-Pacific tourist numbers were up 4.8 per cent and European visitation increased 3.6 per cent.
Paul Nursey, chief executive of Tourism Victoria, said the capital region got more than its share of the strong visitor numbers. “It’s been a tremendous year,” he said. “We are pretty solid through September.”
Nursey estimated Victoria’s own growth was between four and five per cent this year, and it’s made up of visitors from everywhere.
“It’s broad-based, but it’s really heartening we have really strong Asian numbers and Japan is returning for the first time in a decade,” Nursey said. “Canadians have been staying home, the west coast of the U.S. is still very strong and we’re seeing life out of Europe and Mexico, which we haven’t seen since 2008.”
Nursey said the rest of the year should be good and 2016 is also shaping up as a strong season.
He said Tourism Victoria plans to build on two years of strong returns with a focus on off-peak seasons through special events and conferences.
Tourism Victoria will also partner with Destination Canada (the Canadian Tourism Commission) for a big campaign this Christmas in Seattle as the federal body is returning to market in the U.S.
According to Destination B.C., the solid growth is linked to a revitalized international marketing campaign for the province, more direct flights to B.C. and lower fuel prices.
“Tourism operators from across the province are having a good year, with revenues and occupancy rates up significantly. With the strong U.S. dollar we are seeing fewer Canadians crossing the border, which is adding to excellent growth from international tourism markets,” said Marsha Walden, chief executive of Destination B.C. “And, as a bonus, several of B.C.’s ski hills and resorts have opened early which should lead to a positive winter season and a superb finish to 2015.”