Tourism Poll suggest area residents ready to welcome back visitors to North Coast

Tourism officials are hopeful that with a safe restart 
plan in hand, the area will be able to welcome guests back
to the North Coast this summer
(photo from Tourism Prince Rupert website)

The results of some recent polling by Tourism officials in the West suggest that residents are becoming more comfortable with the idea of welcoming visitors back to the region as we continue our journey out of COVID times.

Some of the background to the poll results were detailed In an information release today from Tourism Prince Rupert today, which noted that for Prince Rupert specific tourism, over half of the respondents answered that they believed Prince Rupert was prepared to welcome visitors for overnight stays, and almost 80% recognized the importance of the value of tourism to Prince Rupert’s economy. 

The 'Value of Tourism' telephone poll was conducted by Northern BC Tourism Association (NBCTA) from May 17th to the 21st, targeting residents from within the Northern BC region. 

Scott Farwell, the President of Tourism Prince Rupert welcomed the results from the poll respondents and noted how it will work to inform tourism providers as they return to their duties mindful of the program for a Safe restart in the province.

“We’re encouraged by the results of the recent survey and the overwhelming support of beginning to safely welcome visitors again. Tourism Prince Rupert is grateful for the success of the vaccination and how it will allow the tourism industry to begin to return to its path of economic recovery within the community. This poll provides our organization with positive information about how residents of the community feel about travel and activities relating to tourism in 2021. 

Tourism Prince Rupert also recognizes there are still some hesitations understandably present, however following the lead of the Provincial Health Office, Destination BC, and Northern BC Tourism, Tourism Prince Rupert is committed to following the guidelines as outlined by BC’s restart plan and will also continue to provide support, resources, and information to help our tourism-dependant businesses on their path to economic recovery from the challenges of COVID-19."

Some of the other findings from the poll included:

Over 70% of respondents believe the region is prepared to welcome visitors for overnight stays. 

Over 60% of respondents believe tourism is either the most important or an important contributor to their community’s economy. 

76% of respondents believe tourism provides good employment for residents, and 69% of respondents believe Northern BC is a good place to open a tourism related business. 

Only 36% of respondents believe that their community has actively supported the tourism industry. 

82% of respondents believe money spent to support the tourism industry is a good investment, with nearly 60% responding that they believe tourism funding should be a priority.

The full review of the poll results and background information from it can be reviewed here.

More notes on Tourism in the Northwest can be explored here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.