Wildfires in British Columbia’s Okanagan region are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley, even though it is located several hours away from the fires. Jessica Fairhart, who heads the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society, mentioned that the provincewide state of emergency due to the wildfires has influenced travelers’ decisions. The Columbia Valley, encompassing places like Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs, is about 300 kilometers distant from the wildfires in the Okanagan.
Mike Gray, the Mayor of Radium Hot Springs, assured that the community is not under immediate threat from wildfires, and local businesses, hotels, and attractions are operating as usual. Amber Roy, owner of the Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, highlighted a decline in August bookings post the commencement of wildfires, contrasting with robust July bookings. Concerned out-of-province guests, prompted by wildfire images on social media, have been inquiring about the safety of visiting.
Roy emphasized that while there is apprehension due to the state of emergency in B.C., it primarily affects specific regions and not the entire province. Additionally, there were worries about tourists occupying accommodations needed for wildfire evacuees, which Roy clarified is not an issue in her area. Fairhart acknowledged that other businesses in the region are also receiving calls from anxious tourists, leading to some cancellations.
Despite the recent decline, Fairhart expressed optimism for an uptick in bookings towards the end of August and into September. Roy remains hopeful that last-minute trips might boost her hotel’s occupancy. She also mentioned the challenge of recovering from a power outage caused by wildfires over the August long weekend, a critical period for tourism in the area.
While the Columbia Valley is distant from the primary Okanagan wildfires, it has encountered periods of heavy smoke this summer, posing a concern for potential visitors. Fairhart advised travelers to stay updated on current wildfire and smoke conditions before planning a trip to the region.