OCEANSIDE — 2017 was a big year for tourism in Oceanside with a lot to brag about.
Through the end of November, there was a 12 per cent increase in accommodation revenue from 2016. Blaine Sepos executive-director with Parksville-Qualicum Beach tourism says that number gest spread to other areas like restaurants and attractions.
“When we see accommodation revenue go up, it always means that all those other sectors of our tourism industry grow by at least that much.”
A milestone was reached in August when hotel occupancy topped 90 per cent, which according to Sepos is the first time that’s happened since 2006 noting that back then, they had 25 per cent fewer hotel rooms in the area.
As for the reason in the increase in the number of visitors in 2017, Sepos says some people have pointed out that a much of British Columbia experienced forest fires, smoke or flood warnings and those affected wanted to get away.
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