Attendance is substantially down this year at Barkerville Historic Town and Park.
Maya Lange is the Vice President of Marketing with Destination BC.
“Although Barkerville has remained open throughout the Cariboo wildfires period compared to 2016 stats attendance is down 54% between July 7-August 21 resulting in a 50% reduction in net revenue for the same period.”
A survey indicates that 32% of businesses in the Kootenay Rockies are reporting a loss of potential revenue due to visitor perception, with 47% of businesses in the Thompson Okanagan reporting interruption.
Data is still being collected from operators in the fire zone which according to Lange will take some time.
She says Destination BC will ensure that wildfire impacted areas receive additional marketing support once it is safe to visit again and capacity has been established.