Royal visit propels banner year for tourism in region
The royal visit appears to have brought plenty of visitors to Greater Victoria, above and beyond the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as the city’s tourism industry reported a very strong month in September.
According to figures compiled by Chemistry Consulting, hotel occupancy was in excess of 87 per cent last month, up from 84 per cent in September last year, and revenue per available room was more than $165, an increase of nearly $20.
The month also featured a major golf tournament at Bear Mountain Resort that drew a worldwide audience and the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference that drew hundreds of delegates.
“As expected, tourism activity in Victoria in September was very strong due, at least in part, to a number of high-profile events as well as the royal visit,” said Frank Bourree, principal of Chemistry.
“All indicators show strong rates of growth on a month-over-month and year-todate basis.
“We’re now three-quarters of the way through the year and all signs continue to point to a banner year for the industry.”
Through the first nine months of this year, average hotel occupancy was 78 per cent, an increase of 3.7 per cent over last year. Revenue per available room — a key metric in the hotel industry — was up $15.64 to $129.98.
Ferry traffic has also increased over last year with vehicle numbers up 5.4 per cent year-to-date and passenger numbers up five per cent.
Victoria International Airport is also on pace for a record year as it has seen a 7.5 per cent increase in passengers through its gates.
Through the end of September, there were 1.39 million passengers.
The Victoria Conference Centre is also having a strong year with 67,017 delegate days, an increase of nine per cent compared with the first nine months of last year.
Nanaimo is also cashing in on the rebound in tourism as the city’s hotels are reporting occupancy over 72 per cent through nine months and revenue per available room up by $14.32 to $92.11 so far this year.
Nanaimo’s airport has also seen a jump in passengers with 257,177 through its gates this year, an increase of more than 10 per cent.
B.C. Ferries is reporting increases on both its Duke Point-to-Tsawwassen routes and between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay.
Duke Point vehicle traffic is up 7.4 per cent and passenger traffic is up 6.4 per cent, while Departure Bay vehicle traffic is up five per cent and passenger traffic is up three per cent through September.