'We're back': Victoria Clipper ferry's return kicks off early tourist season full of optimism
As the Clipper arrived in Victoria’s Inner Harbour on Thursday full of passengers, others were waiting to board for the return trip back to Seattle.
“I’m going to go and visit a buddy for four days,” said Kyle Barnes.
“I’m going to the Emerald City Comic Con,” said Magnus McElroy.
Thomas Zobrosky just arrived from south of the border, one of many early season tourists ready to spend their time and money in Victoria for a few days.
“(We're) going to explore the city,” said Zobrosky. “It’s the first time here for us and we just decided to take a little vacation.”
It was an exciting day for FRS Clipper.
“We’re moving ahead, launching the season and we’re back in service,” said Scott Meis, vice-president of marketing for FRS Clipper.
The ferry will begin with a Thursday to Monday service before starting daily trips on April 6.
“We’re optimistic that this is going to be the year of revenge travel,” said Meis. “Where people finally get out and enjoy those trips throughout the year without the concerns of COVID lingering over their heads.”
Last year, tourism on Vancouver Island was strong, with hotel occupancies almost returning to pre-pandemic levels.
“Hotels saw really good numbers, nearing capacity for the entire summer,” said Bill Lewis, chair of the Greater Victoria Hotel Association.
The improvement was fueled by the return of outdoor events, festivals and conferences.
But other parts of the visitor economy – such as museum and restaurant visits – did not recover as strongly in 2022.
“Certainly some of the attractions continue on their road to recovery,” said Jodi Westbury, vice-president of marketing and communications for Destination Greater Victoria.
Looking forward to this year, the organization sees less reliance on a domestic market, as international travellers are expected to return.
“We should start to see a better performance across the whole sector,” said Westbury.
The Greater Victoria Hotel Association is predicting another strong season ahead.
“I could see the numbers being similar to last year in terms of volumes, but then, rates are going up because of inflationary pressures that we see everywhere,” said Lewis.
Up the island in Nanaimo, tourism industry organizations are also looking forward to a strong summer season.
“I feel like a kid in a candy store,” said Jen Houtby-Ferguson, interim executive director of Tourism Nanaimo.
“This is such an exciting time for Nanaimo.”
The Harbour City is forecasting a solid 2023 tourist season, anchored by a new hotel in its downtown core, which will welcome its first guests within days.
“It means that we have the opportunity to bid on much larger conferences, working in partnership, of course, with the conference centre,” said Houtby-Ferguson.
Tourism Nanaimo says the new hotel will be a game changer for the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.