Visitors to Vernon up 26.9%

Photo: Contributed - Tourism Vernon

The City of Vernon has seen a dramatic increase in tourists this summer.

"We collect a 2 per cent hotel tax and that has increased 26.9 per cent this year so far (compared to the same time frame in 2013). In 2013 we were only up 7.8 per cent, so we're seeing really strong growth,” explains Kevin Poole, Manager of Economic Development & Tourism for the City of Vernon.

Since 2010, tourism to the area has been increasing: 

• 21.3 per cent in 2011
• 16.83 per cent in 2012
• 7.8 per cent 2013
• 26.9 per cent in 2014.

The latest leap in numbers can be partly attributed to the addition of two new hotels.

"We have new accommodations with the Marriott and Pacific Inn and Suites opening, we have 150 new rooms, and Sparkling Hills continues to grow as well,” says Poole. “Our hoteliers are seeing a very strong year."

There was concern at the beginning of the season that moving the tourism centre would slow down traffic, but they also saw a healthy increase.

The new location saw a 19 per cent increase in visitors over last year. Centre staff helped 12,991 visitors this year compared to 10,830 in 2013.

“We had to make it easier for locals to get to our centre," adds Poole.

The City of Kelowna had an increase of four per cent over 2013.