This weekend is one that many in the tourism industry have been looking forward to for months.
It’s the first weekend in British Columbia that people have been able to travel for leisure in some time, and some in the tourism sector are already seeing a big change.
On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, BC Ferries saw numerous full crossings as mainlanders came to Vancouver Island to flee.
“Super busy yes. We were really glad we had a reservation but it looked like it was a couple [of] Sailing is definitely waiting, ”said Jason Somerville.
Jason Somerville’s family has visited Vancouver Island from the lower mainland for the first time in a year and a half.
“My family is here. I have my wife and two children and they are super excited to be outside. We got some new paddleboards and are testing them, ”said Somerville.
They had filled their busiest winter ever with snowbirds at the Surfside RV Resort in Parksville. After a quieter spring, the park is full again.
“We’re full this weekend [with] mostly locals, ”said Shawn Bennett, the resort’s general manager.
Ocean Sands Resort is also seeing a surge in travelers and is at nearly 80 percent occupancy this weekend for reservations for the summer, July and August, ”said Darcy Stephenson, manager of Ocean Sands.
The director of Tourism Vancouver Island, who is also camping this weekend, says this summer could be the perfect time for British Columbians to explore their province.
“Ultimately, tourism will only recover when we have international borders and international guests again. The US is a major market for us here on the island and we need to see these people traveling again before we can get a feel for where we were before and I think it will just take time, ”said Anthony Everett, Tourism Vancouver Island’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Tour operators say the lifting of BC’s travel restrictions is a step in the right direction.