B.C Stats reports a surge in international visitors to B.C in July, especially from the United States, where the numbers soared 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2017.
Central One Credit Union Deputy Chief Economist Brian Yu says, international tourism levels have jumped five per cent year over year and 13% per cent higher than previous highs in the early 2000’s.
Yu says, this follows 9-11 when the borders were strengthened.
“B.C is a go-to place, where its relatively free of the some of the current unrest in the U.S and that’s providing much of that benefit and that the same goes for the overseas visitors as well. I think the U.S has definitely seen a drop off in the tourism numbers relative to where they would be without some of that uncertainty down there.”
Yu says the sector is benefiting from the low Canadian dollar, growth in travel demand from emerging markets, and political instability south of the border.