Nanaimo September 2011
Nanaimo Tourism Bulletin 2011-09
Stats an Indication of a Soft Economy
This year’s tourism statistics are flat compared to 2010. In 2012 and 2013, we should see some benefit from the 2010 Olympic Games. The downturn in the US and domestic economies have slowed growth as indicated by BC Ferries ridership and hotel occupancies.
- According to Stats Canada’s “National Tourism Indicators”, during Q2 of 2011, tourism spending edged down 0.1% in real terms. Spending by Canadians traveling at homewas down by 0.4%, which included declines of 1.3% in air transport spending, 3.4% on recreation and 0.5% on non-tourism commodities such as groceries, alcohol and clothing, while spending on accommodation grew 0.2% and food and beverage services 0.3%.
- At the same time, non-resident tourism spending was up by 1.4%, which included increase of 1.9% on accommodation, 1.9% on food and beverage services and 0.6% on air transport.
- In contrast, tourism GDP edged up 0.1% in the second quarter, according to Stats Canada, which represents Canada’s eighth consecutive quarterly increase in tourism GDP.
