Despite the price at the pump continuing to hit record highs, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association says the rising gas prices are not affecting tourism in the region.
According to Gas-Buddy-dot-com, the average price of gas in Kamloops on May 16 is 194.9 per litre.
Although the price of gasoline continues to be a hot topic for many people, TOTA CEO Ellen Walker Matthews says occupancy and reservation rates are not only holding steady, but rates are continuing to grow as the summer months approach.
“I think people are still ready to get out and start doing things this summer and while the prices are definitely concerning, it may mean they stay one less night, or they have one less bottle of wine or perhaps a steak dinner becomes a hamburger, but I think people just need to go away right now and get out of their houses and get some different perspective and go and see their friends and family and activities.”
Walker Matthews tells NL News if anything, they are seeing a tremendous response of people wanting to go out.
“Events as they’re happening, are just selling out, and I think that’s a great sign and I think it just talks to the sign that people are really over the past two years and really just want to get back out and be with each other.”
She believes the price at the pump won’t halt tourism in the region, especially after the past two years of lockdowns, explained Walker Matthews.
“Maybe it would be different if we hadn’t just had two years close to home; but I think people are just needing to get out, find that sunshine, find that relaxation,” explained Walker Matthews.
“Maybe once they get here, maybe they won’t drive around as much– if you don’t want to drive around the city, maybe they will take less day trips and stay a little closer to wherever they are vacationing.”
Meanwhile on Friday, BC’s Premier, John Horgan suggested people re-think jumping into their vehicles amid record-high gas prices.
The CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia, Walt Judas, says he doesn’t think this will dissuade a lot of people from making their way into the Interior from the Lower Mainland.
“All signs point to the fact that people are still willing to travel. The bookings are pretty solid,” said Judas. “I think the reason is, a lot of people didn’t travel very much during the last couple of years.”
However, Judas does concede there is likely to be some impact on retailers in the Kamloops area.
“They will decide to forgo something else. So maybe it’s a meal in a restaurant, or they’re staying at a cheaper accommodation maybe with friends instead of in a hotel,” notes Judas.
“I suppose the other area that it’s really going to affect a lot of vacationers this summer is those that have RV’s, or they’ve got the toys, like the boats, etc. You’re probably not going to travel as far in your RV as perhaps you were originally thought, and maybe not take the boat out as often.”
