tourism Minister Lana Popham has exalted the strength of the tourism sector in the column “B.C.’s tourism industry a resilient economic driver.”
The column follows a familiar theme: placating fears of visitor impacts from the outfall of the Short Term Rental Accommodations Act while celebrating the government’s apparent partnership with the hotel association.
The CEO of Destination Greater Victoria (DGV), Paul Nursey, recently delivered similar news, saying restrictions on short-term vacation rentals will not hurt the visitor economy. Mr. Nursey informed us, “At the height of summer travel in August 2023, hotel occupancy reached 86 per cent,” reassuring that the visitor economy will be unaffected by the upcoming ban on licensed short-term rentals (STRs).
Popham and the DGV likely grasp the nuances of tourism’s fluctuating demand, which peaks during weekends, holidays, and major events. They understand that 86% occupancy can mean a room is available on Monday…