ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s decision to shave days from provincial campgrounds to save money is a disappointing surprise, said a Victoria tourism consultant.
"This has come right out of the blue," Chemistry Consulting partner Frank Bourree said yesterday. "It's a real surprise."
The campground cuts come at a time when ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s tourism industry is reeling from a drop in American visitors. The province is reducing operating days for 45 campgrounds, including 12 on Vancouver Island, to help save $24 million during the economic downturn. Cuts are at the start and end of the season.
Fewer camping days will be a "real disappointment for a lot of budget-conscious tourists," Bourree said.
And although campers are mainly from this province and Alberta, "we see a lot of international visitors increasingly -- Germans in particular love to camp and hike," he said.
Attendance figures for individual campgrounds were not available from ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Parks yesterday.
Island campgrounds affected by cuts include Miracle Beach, Englishman River Falls, and Little Qualicum Falls.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s park system saw attendance rise to 19.6 million visits in 2007-2008, up nine per cent from the previous year, said ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Park's 2007-2008 annual report.
That body is "committed to increasing the number of recorded visits by 20 per cent from 2004-2005 to 2010-2011," the report said.
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s parks saw overall attendance, including day visits and camping, rise to 19.6 million visits in 2007-2008, up 0.9 per cent from the previous year, the report said.
Camping alone delivered 2.38 million visits, up 2.5 per cent from the year before. Vancouver Island had a total of 480,525 camping visits in 2007-2008 year, down by 0.2 per cent from the year before, the report said.
Fees from campgrounds brought in $11.9 million provincially in 2007-2008, an increase of 3.1 per cent from a year earlier. Vancouver Island camping revenue was $2.4 million, up 1.5 per cent from 2006-2007.
Island camping revenue was the second highest in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½, following the Lower Mainland, and ahead of the Okanagan.
"The camping product that we have here typifies the supernatural image of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ and Vancouver Island. It's a very unique experience, being in touch with the wilderness," Bourree said.
Dave Petryk, Tourism Vancouver Island CEO, had not been aware of the cuts yesterday but said, "It always concerns me when we reduce our capacity. But that being said, there's a reality of operating a business."
If camping numbers were low, he understands the decision. "If the government is saving $24 million, then hopefully it will be utilized somewhere where it will have more impact."
Tourists rate ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½'s scenic beauty as its No. 1 feature, Petryk said. "It is certainly important that provincial parks and campgrounds are available to our visitors."
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CHANGES TO 12 ISLAND CAMPGROUNDS:
- Camping closed indefinitely at the Skutz Falls campground in Cowichan River park, and at the Koksilah River campground.
- Englishman River Falls, south of Parksville.
Now: May 1 to Sept. 30.
Last year: April 15 to Oct. 15.
- Little Qualicum Falls.
Now: May 1 to Sept. 30.
Last year: March 14 to Oct. 15.
- Miracle Beach, between Courtenay, Campbell River.
Now: May 1 to Sept. 30.
Last year: April 1 to Sept. 30.
- Carmanah Walbran, northwest of Port Renfrew.
Now June 15 to Labour Day.
Last year: May 15 to Sept. 30.
- Loveland Bay, near Campbell River.
Now: May 15 to Sept. 30.
Last year: May 1 to Oct. 15.
- Morton Lake, north of Campbell River.
Now: June 1 to Sept. 30.
Last year: May 1 to Oct. 15.
- Smelt Bay, Cortes Island. Now: May 15 to Sept. 30.
Last year: May 1 to Sept. 30.
- Stamp River, northwest of Port Alberni.
Now: May 1 to Oct. 15.
Last year: April 15 to Oct. 15.
- Strathcona (Ralph River): Now May 15 to Sept. 30.
Last year: May 1 to Sept. 30.
- Taylor Arm Park (Camp 10), west of Port Alberni is now being managed by ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Parks, rather than a contractor. This site has minimal services.
On the Web: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
