Wildfires in British Columbia’s Okanagan region are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley, located hours away, even though the fires are not in close proximity. Jessica Fairhart, executive director of the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society, mentioned that the provincewide state of emergency due to the wildfires has influenced travel decisions of some visitors.
The Columbia Valley, which includes communities like Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs, is approximately 300 kilometers away from the wildfires in the Okanagan. Radium Hot Springs Mayor Mike Gray assured that the community is not under immediate threat from wildfires, and local businesses, hotels, and attractions are operating as usual.
Amber Roy, the owner of Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, reported a decline in August bookings following strong July reservations, attributing the drop to the ongoing wildfires. Out-of-province guests, alarmed by social media images of the fires, have raised concerns about the situation and its impact on the region.
Despite the fears surrounding the state of emergency in B.C., Fairhart emphasized that not all regions are affected, and accommodations are readily available for tourists, separate from wildfire evacuees. While there has been a decrease in tourist visits in recent weeks, Fairhart noted a positive trend in bookings for the end of August and September.
Roy expressed hope for a potential uptick in last-minute trips to the area, which would aid in the recovery of her business following a wildfire-related power outage during the busy August long weekend. The region, known for its short tourist season mainly in July and August, is aiming to attract more visitors to make up for lost business opportunities.
Despite being distant from the major wildfires, the Columbia Valley has encountered periods of heavy smoke this summer, causing additional concerns among tourists. Fairhart advised prospective visitors to stay informed about current wildfire and smoke conditions before planning their trips to the area.