Wildfires in the Okanagan region of British Columbia are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley despite the distance between the two areas. Jessica Fairhart, the executive director of the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society, mentioned that the provincewide state of emergency due to wildfires is influencing travel decisions for some visitors.
The Columbia Valley, which includes communities like Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs, is about 300 kilometers away from the wildfires in the Okanagan. Radium Hot Springs Mayor Mike Gray reassured that the community is not under threat from wildfires, and businesses, hotels, and attractions are operating as usual.
Amber Roy, the owner of Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, noted a drop in bookings for August following strong July reservations, possibly due to the ongoing wildfires. Concerns from out-of-province guests who have seen wildfire reports on social media have led to inquiries about travel conditions and safety.
Roy emphasized that despite the state of emergency, not all parts of British Columbia are affected by wildfires. She also addressed worries about tourists occupying accommodations needed for wildfire evacuees, clarifying that this is not an issue in her area.
Fairhart mentioned that several businesses in the region have reported receiving calls from worried tourists, leading some to reconsider their travel plans. Despite a recent decline, there are positive indications of an uptick in bookings for the end of August and September.
While Roy’s hotel hasn’t seen a surge in bookings for the remainder of the month, she remains optimistic about attracting last-minute visitors to help recover from a recent wildfire-related power outage during the peak summer season.
Although the Columbia Valley is distant from the major wildfires in the Okanagan, it has been affected by periods of heavy smoke this summer. Fairhart advised potential visitors to stay updated on current wildfire and smoke conditions before visiting the area.