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Tourism PG CEO says wildfire season not putting a huge dent into visitor numbers

Even with all the wildfires, tourists are still finding their way to Prince George as the summer season fast approaches.

Colin Carson (Photo supplied by Tourism PG)

Tourism PG CEO, Colin Carson told Vista Radio at this time, there have not been too many cancellations from travellers, especially those from the United States and Europe.

“Right now in Prince George, we are not seeing too much of a negative effect. People are still coming into Prince George, we are getting a lot of folks in the visitor centre asking about road conditions and highway closures and things of that nature. For the most part, it seems as though they are still taking their trips.”

“We are still seeing quite a few long-haul RV travellers they are planning these trips months or years in advance. These wildfires are impacting routes and travel choices but they were likely on the road by the time the fire season started here.”

Carson added those from the United States and Europe are still coming to the northern capital, however, even though some of their travel logistics might be altered somewhat due to any highway closures.

“Maybe their plans have been changed. If they were planning on taking the Alaska Highway up and the Stewart Cassiar Highway down or maybe they have changed and will take Highway 37 up to Alaska and then take 97 back down – little things like that as we are seeing some small changes.”

Carson believes the local tourism sector “is fully back” in 2023 after seeing a strong resurgence in sporting events last year.

“The World Women’s Curling Championship in March of 2022, BC Summer Games and the Canadian Native Fastball Championships. It’s those sporting events that really came back in 2022 but in terms of the rest of the tourism market is that it is fully back now.”

He adds smaller events like the BCNE and the Fathers Day Show n Shine draw quite a few people from across the region.

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Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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