Tourism in the Columbia Valley of British Columbia is feeling the impact of wildfires burning in the Okanagan region, despite being located at a significant distance from the fires. According to Jessica Fairhart, the executive director of the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society, the provincewide state of emergency due to the wildfires has influenced some travelers’ decisions.
The Columbia Valley, home to 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 assures that the community is not under immediate threat from the fires, and local businesses, hotels, and attractions remain open for visitors.
Amber Roy, owner of the Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, noted a decline in August bookings following a strong July, attributing the drop to concerns arising from the wildfires. Roy mentioned receiving inquiries from out-of-province guests who are apprehensive after seeing wildfire news on social media but may not realize the actual distance from the affected areas.
Despite fears related to the state of emergency, Fairhart emphasized that not all of British Columbia is impacted by the wildfires. Concerns have also been raised about tourists potentially displacing wildfire evacuees from accommodations, but Roy clarified that this is not an issue in her area.
Fairhart mentioned that several businesses in the region have reported receiving calls from worried tourists, resulting in some cancellations. However, she remains optimistic as bookings show an upward trend for the end of August and September. Roy expressed hope for a boost in last-minute trips to aid in recovering from a recent power outage linked to the wildfires over the busy August long weekend.
Although the Columbia Valley is relatively distant from the major wildfires in the Okanagan, it has experienced periods of heavy smoke this summer, raising additional concerns among tourists. Fairhart advised prospective visitors to stay informed about current wildfire and smoke conditions before planning their trip to the area.