Camping numbers up in PG

Jul 9, 2024 | 3:09 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It’s the time of year we see RVs of all stripes showing up in town. It’s camping season and RVs make up a significant amount of the tourism in these parts.

“If you want the number, we’re probably talking like an eight or nine out of ten on the amount we currently see,” says Colin Carson, CEO of Tourism Prince George, “I think that’ s one of the big reasons for us to move locations is we realized that we’re depending too much on that rubber tire traffic and getting to our current location.”

But the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association is predicting a “slightly softer season” than in past years compared to summers during the pandemic. In fact, it is predicting 60 percent of normal bookings. not locally.

“We are certainly seeing this is our busiest season since before the pandemic,” says Bobbie Carpino, owner of the Salmon Valley Campground. And the campground is seeing a very diverse collection of traveller.

“We’re seeing a lot of our local folks from campers from Prince George, as well as some of the north here. We’ve got some folks who stay here because they’ve got medical appointment. But we’re also seeing a big increase in our European travellers, as well as our American travellers who are heading up to Alaska or Whitehorse.”

One of the reasons the Association is a little sceptical of the numbers is one of the constants in the summer around these parts. Forest fires. One of the regular RV travellers to come through this region are the Americans on the pilgrimage to Alaska. And that is expected to continue, regardless, according to Tourism Prince George.

“Those people are forging ahead, so to speak,” says Carson. “When there the fires were happening in Fort Nelson earlier in the year, they were still coming to Prince George and they were potentially going up Highway 37 instead of up Highway 97. So those travellers are forging along.”

So here’s to those who love the great outdoors, sitting around the campfire and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer. Happy Camping!