With rising ferry fares and falling numbers, at first glance the tourism industry in Powell River seems to have taken a hit this summer. But upon closer examination, this may not be exactly the case.
According to local operators and businesses, tourism is still alive and thriving, but there is a change in the tourists themselves.
Despite the drop, one sector of tourism is doing extremely well this year: boating.
Westview Fuels owner Joe Hooper makes a modest estimate that fuel sales this year are up at least 20 per cent.
Pam Iwasiuk, who works at the fuel dock, sees this first hand. “There’s definitely more boater tourists than last year,” she said, as she ran around the fuel dock helping three boats fill up. Two more waited in line for their turn. “It’s been crazy.”
Despite certain successes, other Powell River residents are seeing a dip. “I communicate with a lot of accommodators and the numbers are definitely down,” said Kim Miller, Powell River Chamber of Commerce manager.
The chamber office location, right at the end of the Westview ferry dock, often leads to tourists asking her for help. “People get off the ferry and they’re day trippers, wanting to know what there is to do,” said Miller, adding that she has seen just about as many people as last year. Most asking for information are ferry walk-ons.
Miller’s husband drives a free shuttle for boaters to Town Centre Mall and she said there’s a definite increase in numbers. She added tourists often inundate the wharfinger’s office on the Wharf at Westivew.
Numbers gathered at Tourism Powell River tell a disconcerting story. In July, 1,347 people visited the tourism bureau, less than half of the 3,743 that visited in July 2012.*
“Normally at this time of year, in this office, I’ve been told it’s a mob scene,” said visitor services manager Tracey Ellis. “We’re not seeing a packed office, so that tells you what’s going on.”
Ellis said a low number of visitors from Alberta, and an even lower number from the United States may be the partial reason. Last summer, International Choral Kathaumixw may have inflated the numbers, which could be why the drop seems so steep, she added.
From Ellis’ investigations, the trend seems to be a reflection of a possible region-wide drop. “Even just going up and down the coast, places are either holding their own or they’ve declined in visitors,” she said. Courtney, Sechelt and Gibsons visitors’ centres have all reported drops, both small and large.
Online trip booking may be another culprit. “A lot of people do their trip planning online now because there are so many good resources,” said Ellis. “They don’t need to come into the visitors’ centre anymore to get information.”
The cost of taking RVs on the ferries creates another challenge to tourism. Both Monique Roadknight of Garnet Rock Oceanside Resort and Elaine Thoma of Seabreeze Resort have had multiple RV cancellations where owners cited ferry costs. “There’s less RVs than we’ve ever had because the cost of RV travel on the ferry is ludicrous,” said Thoma.
Both establishments, however, have had an increase in cottage and cabin rentals. Roadknight pins the rise on a “slew of advertising,” while Thoma credits return customers.
Caretaker Ron Beaven of Willingdon Beach Campsite has seen a fair share of these RV cancellations as well. He said that in spite of cancellations, business is “booming.”
Many people come off the ferry with no reservations, and Willingdon is an easy-to-find, central site.
“We’re definitely busier than last year,” said Beaven, noting that only a few sites remained unfilled that night. “Right now we’re run ragged.”
Surprisingly, BC Ferries statistics have remained relatively constant when compared to last year, with little drop or increase.
Editor's note: This story has been changed from the original to include the correct number of visitors to the Powell River Visitors' Centre in July 2013 compared to July 2012.
