NANAIMO — While final numbers for July and August aren’t in yet, mid-Island tourism groups are calling it a “pretty strong” summer season.
Brian Cant, vice president with Nanaimo non-profit 4VI, said he’s heard from local hotel owners and attraction activity providers that they’ve had a busy last few months.
“Lots of domestic visitation, which is great news for the Island. I think that is furthering that indication we had early in the spring that we would see a lot of people wanting to come out west to the Island explore it this summer, and talking to lots of partners, that’s what they indicated.”
He said Oceanside hotels and other accommodation operators he spoke to in Parksville and Qualicum Beach said they were “full” during the BC Day long weekend, a similar story he heard across much of the Island and the province as a whole, with some indicating an increase of 25-30 per cent compared to last year.
Cant said while travellers from the United States were noticeably less compared to 2024, tourism from international markets remains robust.
He said their partners at Destination BC continue to market Vancouver Island to European countries like Germany and the United Kingdom, who normally venture to Canada’s West Coast in September and October.
However, domestic travellers continue seeking unique “wilderness experiences” offered locally, with a big focus on sustainable tourism, attracting responsible travellers who appreciate the area’s natural beauty as much as the locals do, according to Cant.
He said the Canada Strong Pass, provided by the federal government this summer, offered free or discounted admission to national parks and museums, also boosted tourism numbers.
“Early indications show that the national parks’ visitation was actually up 10 per cent this year over last year, which is great. We don’t have many national parks on Vancouver Island…but it’s a testament to that strong sign in domestic visitation. Canadians choosing to travel in Canada this year, which I don’t think anybody is surprised by.”
— with files from Jon De Roo/97.3 FM The Eagle
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