Positive tourism data rolling into shoulder season

Greater Victoria’s tourism business isn’t quite keeping pace with last year’s record performance — but the results are still positive, according to numbers released by Chemistry Consulting.

Hotel occupancy is down nearly two percentage points to 75.9 per cent for this year to the end of September.

September itself was basically flat as hotels posted a 0.6 point drop in average occupancy to 86.9 per cent.

Revenue per available room through the first nine months of the year was up slightly to $131.14, an increase of $1.16. Ferry traffic remained ahead of last year with vehicle traffic up two per cent and passenger traffic up 2.26 per cent.

Victoria International Airport remained on record pace as it reported a 4.98 per cent increase over last year’s pace. Through September, more than 1.46 million passengers have passed through its gates.

The cruise ship business was also up this year, with a 7.7 per cent increase in passengers here and a 10 per cent increase in the number of crew in port.

Nanaimo’s tourism industry has also been reporting smiles and sunshine this year, according to Chemistry’s figures. Nanaimo hotels have reported flat occupancy numbers year-to-date at 74 per cent, and slight increases in revenue per available room at $94.55.

“Nanaimo's hotel sector has benefited from a strong domestic and international visitation through 2017 so far,” said Chemistry.

Ferry traffic in Nanaimo has been strong this year with the Duke Point to Tsawwassen run reporting a 6.7 per cent increase in vehicle traffic and an eight per cent jump in passenger numbers.

The Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route has seen a slight increase in vehicle traffic and a 3.8 per cent increase in passenger numbers.