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High gas prices forces change in tourist habits |
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Written by MYRISSA KRENZLER
Citizen staff
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Monday, 21 July 2008 |
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DAVE RICHINSKI
Manager Michelle Clark said she won't have the exact number of visitors this year until the end of the summer, but there seems to be an increase in the number of people exploring their own province, she said.
"I think, generally because there is so much to discover in B.C. and northern British Columbia, (the province) is gaining in popularity as far as an undiscovered sort of new area to checkout," she said. "I think we'll actually see some increased numbers from that."
International visitor numbers are on par compared to other years. "We have seen a little bit of a difference in where the travellers are residing from," she said. "There is a slight decrease in the U.S. travellers, but there has been an improvement on the Europe and Australian market. So you're still getting a large portion of out of town guests coming through, but their origins are shifting a little bit."
Clark said it's still too early to see how gas prices will have an effect on the season. "Gas prices do play some role, but you have to understand that a lot of people who are coming through this way are on their way to Alaska and have been planning these trips for quite a few years and wouldn't necessarily cancel because of gas prices," she said.
Staff Sgt. Gord Flewelling of North District Traffic Services said he hasn't seen much of a traffic decrease. "People are still moving," he said. "Anecdotally, we have not seen a big reduction in the volumes on the highways. We are seeing a reduction in the RVs a little bit."
Ted NcAsee, owner of Blue Spruce RV, said he's seen a definite decrease in the number of people staying in campers and motorhomes. He said that many people who choose to camp have been staying longer, but that doesn't make up for the decrease in motorhome traffic.
Dave Richinski, general manager at the Sandman Inn, said he's also seen a decrease in the number of people renting rooms, but said he's unsure if it's completely due to high gas prices.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 21 July 2008 )
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