Summer is moving at a steady pace for Tourism Prince George, largely because of the number of wildfire evacuees relocated to the northern capital.
According to CEO Erica Hummel, accommodations are almost at capacity in hotels, motels, RV Parks, and campgrounds because of the fires.
She says the busyness of it all has had positive impacts on the community, but some negative ones as well.
“We’re really working with the evacuees and the tourists to try and reroute them and help them give advice about how to get home if they’re heading south. It’s really just trying to pitch in where we can.”
Fantastic news! Highway 97 South is open! @DriveBC is warning of traffic congestion. #takeonpg #cityofpg #travelnorthernbc #BCWildfires pic.twitter.com/ql5PVo3p1n
— Tourism PG (@tourismpg) July 27, 2017
Since the beginning of the season, Tourism PG has calculated a 40% increase in visitor activity, which takes into account the end of the school year, as well as the Canada 150 celebrations.
Hummel says the BC-wide state of emergency, however, has prevented further opportunities for tourism.
“The province, before these wildfire started, was really looking for a big year this year. There was lots to celebrate with Canada’s 150th birthday and lots of people were coming through from the United States before the fires again, so we’re hoping that business will come back.”
She believes August and September will help boost numbers as wildfire start to settle down, with the Canadian Dollar slightly improving, and with more planned events in and around the city.
A3: @HelloBC We recommend finding solitude at any of the many Rec Sites that surround #cityofpg, like Amanita Lake. #exploreBCchat #takeonpg pic.twitter.com/LjWw6tzCoK
— Tourism PG (@tourismpg) July 26, 2017