FILE PHOTO - A warning sign about fire risk is seen as smoke from wildfires fills the air, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.

Image Credit: CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

After devastating wildfires this summer some businesses in the Thompson-Okanagan region that depend on tourism are in desperate need of a cash boost to survive.

Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, told iNFOnews.ca there has been a definite lasting impact on businesses from this year's wildfires and, without help, some businesses will be forced to close.

“We're still in conversation with the province around some financial supports because, definitely, some of our small businesses are at risk and even some of our medium sized businesses and our wineries,” she said.

After the fires, the association worked closely with Destination BC on initiatives to bring tourism back in the shoulder season.

This year, the region was able to attract tourists in numbers similar to that of autumn 2019, Walker-Matthews said.

“It didn't surpass, we didn't make up for the shortfall,” she said. “We didn't see any real movement at the beginning of September for sure. But as we got into the middle of the month… it seemed to suggest that we are back to where we would have been in 2019.”

The last strong year for tourism before COVID-19 hit was 2019. Across the industry, Walker-Matthews said, most businesses are striving to get back to their numbers from that year.

“We know that businesses are closing and selling, and some of these are businesses that have round for a long time. They're not new start-ups,” she said. “These are people that have survived a long time and they're finding that they can't. So, we're still talking about what financial supports could look like to get them through the winter.”

A successful winter season will be crucial in rebuilding the damage left behind by the fires.

“I think right now financially (the fires) left an impact on our businesses for sure,” Walker-Matthews said. “Seeing people come back to the area and the beautiful fall that we've had has been very, very encouraging. And I think we can appreciate that people have come back to support the area and support the businesses and certainly (be) encouraged by that.”

So far, things are looking positive for the winter, with campaigns already being launched around snow and skiing and season pass sales going well.

Walker-Matthews said the support from Destination BC has been an important part of getting the region through this rough patch. 

“I think the whole industry and the region really appreciates the effort by Destination BC,” she said. “These are small, owner-operated businesses for the most part in this region. So, they really depend on their visitors and their residents supporting them. So, shop local when you can and appreciate all the support that we're getting.”

Walker-Matthews said she has seen fluctuations in the region many times and remains positive the Thompson-Okanagan region will be able to get back on track.

“I've been here 32 years now and certainly seen the highs and the lows in this area," she said. "But it's the beauty and it's the resiliency of the businesses and the individuals that live here that really make the region what it is. And we know it's a beautiful place to come.”

More about the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association can be found on its website here.

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