Photo courtesy Dan Pousette / Tourism PG
Tourism

Tourism PG hoping for a boost from reopened Coquihalla

Jan 20, 2022 | 6:39 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – As the Coquihalla Highway reopens in BC’s interior, Tourism PG is hoping for a boost in the numbers of travellers headed to Northern BC.

“It’s been a little bit of a slow start to the year,” said Colin Carson, CEO of Tourism PG.

Carson is hoping the reopening of the Coquihalla and eventually the opening of the Fraser Canyon through Jackass Mountain will also spur more motorists and travellers northbound.

Although Prince George is not a major tourist draw, the attractions and activities within our region are what keep the tourism sector going, winter experiences in Smithers, at Powder King, or other snow-related trips often attract visitors.

Since the Coquihalla and others were wiped out in November, the focus has been away from driving as more travellers opted for a flight instead of taking a detoured route through other BC highways like Highway 99, or Highway 3 through Princeton.

“It’s hard to say how affected we were,” said Carson who pointed out the back half of 2021 was an encouraging stretch for tourism here in Northern BC.

CEO of the Prince George Airport Gordon Duke said the airport saw its best month since COVID-19 began in December 2021, likely a factor increased majorly by the flooding.