While B.C. is boasting a flourishing tourism industry, the effects are being felt locally.
In Enderby, despite a slow start to July, mainly due to poor weather, visitor numbers are rising with lots of people seen out and about enjoying the community.
“We are definitely seeing more visitors from eastern Canada as well as France and Australia,” said Corinne Van De Crommenacker, Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce general manager. “I am finding that Enderby is now becoming a stop on the route form Jasper/Banff to Vancouver or from Vancouver to Jasper/Banff.”
Visitors aren’t just making a quick pit stop, which Crommenacker credits to the regional visitor centres working together to promote the entire region.
With the weather warming up, it’s expected the lull in river users will also surge.
“Our river ambassadors are out again this year and working in partnership with our visitor centre counsellors ensuring that river users are receiving the most up to date and accurate information on the river.”
Everyone is urged to be cautious when in and around the Shuswap River as river conditions can be unpredictable.
Work is also underway to complete the new information kiosk that is at Belvidere Park.
Enderby’s trend is among a provincial increase in visitor numbers.
The number of overnight international visitors coming to British Columbia grew significantly for the first five months of 2016, according to Statistics Canada. From January to May, 1,650,703 visitors came to the province, resulting in a 14 per cent increase over the same period last year.
In addition, 478,066 international visitors came to B.C. in May 2016, a 4.8 per cent increase compared to May 2015.