By Ian Holmes

Oceanside on Pace for another Record Setting Tourism Year

Jul 15, 2016 | 2:49 PM

It’s a good sign for tourism operators in the Parksville-Qualicum region, with more optimism for the rest of summer.

Parksville-Qualicum Tourism Association executive director Blain Sepos says accommodation occupancy rates for the first four months of the year are up on last year’s record-setting pace.

“For the first four months year-to-date as of the end of April, we’re up 5 percent in occupancy and 18 percent in revenue,” Sepos said.

Sepos says fairly regular rain and cooler temperatures typically negatively impact last-minute travel plans, but he says the weather doesn’t seem to be hurting tourism.

“Despite the fact we haven’t had the best weather for the last few weeks, both attractions and accommodations people are saying that it’s not keeping people away, so that’s a good thing.”

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Sepos says local accommodation occupancy rates are likely to hit 90 percent in August, which he believes would be a record for Parksville-Qualicum.

2015 was the highest tourism revenue year ever in Parksville-Qualicum Beach, with an estimated $110 million in total direct spending.