Revelstoke shows strong tourism growth

Revenue numbers from 2012 show that the community has enjoyed another successful year

A bid to host the BC Midget Nordic Ski championships was successful thanks to a Nordic ski lodge built in 2012. — Photo courtesy Community Economic Development of Revelstoke

Visitors to a community are almost always positive to economic development, and Revelstoke has been showing consistent and successful growth. Tourism numbers for 2012 have shown a strong increase over the previous year, and have continued the growth pattern of the last five years. Figures provided by the provincial Ministry of Finance indicate that revenues from accommodation properties grew by almost 17 per cent over 2011. Funding the community receives from the Municipal and Regional District Tax, formerly called the Additional Hotel Room Tax, has increased by more than 33 per cent over the last five years.

Not only are local hotel revenues showing good growth, Revelstoke is doing very well when compared to the other 14 communities in B.C. that are designated as resort communities. Revelstoke’s 17 per cent increase of hotel revenues was the highest posted by any of the resort communities during 2012.

“This is very positive news for the tourism sector in Revelstoke,” said Alan Mason, director of community economic development. “I think this speaks very well to the work the tourism sector and the City are doing in developing tourism infrastructure using the Resort Municipality Initiative funds. This program has been of great benefit to the community.”

The increased revenue totals also reflect the excellent marketing activities carried out by all tourism stakeholder groups in the community.

“We have great partnerships and co-operative marketing initiatives involving the chamber of commerce, the Revelstoke Accommodation Association, Revelstoke Mountain Resort and other tourism businesses and organizations,” said Mason. “This marketing is really helping to increase the profile of Revelstoke as a tourism destination. The tourism sector is looking forward to another successful year in 2013.”