Stats show more international tourists visiting B.C., including Okanagan

If you have noticed more tourists in the valley, including more people from other countries, your observations are right.

The latest figures from Statistics Canada reflect a huge jump in international overnight visitors to the province. In March 2012, the number climbed 11.8 percent from the same period last year.

The increase in visitors from outside this country was evident in the Okanagan on Friday morning in the lobby of the Same Sun Backpackers Lodge in Kelowna as visitors crammed the front desk to check in for the Victoria Day long weekend.

“We are full tonight and tomorrow night,” said manager Leanne Wards. “Last year we were only at about 60% so it’s a big improvement from last year.”

Many of the visitors raved about Kelowna.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Nice people, nice weather. You have fun. It’s a cool city,” said David Wiessner, who is from Hanover, Germany. Wiessner plans to stay in Kelowna until July before embarking on a trip across Canada and the U.S. with his girlfriend.

“The beaches are ok. It’s summertime so every time is a good time,” said Stefano Pierlli, a visitor from Italy.

One downtown hotel that is packed for the long weekend says it is seeing lots of different nationalities come through the door.

“They’re coming from every walk of life. They’re coming from California, Vancouver. They’re coming from England. They’re coming from Germany. They’re coming from Holland,” said Rita Pluta, general manager of the Abbott Villa Travelodge.

Catherine Frechette with Tourism Kelowna says visitors could be coming for the valley’s wineries or landscape but she also put her finger on another reason.

“Tourism is definitely weather focused,” Frechette said. “We have people coming in to camp. People come for all the different festivities that are happening around town and to enjoy the downtown, beaches and golfing.”

The May long weekend traditionally kicks off the Okanagan’s tourism season. Frechette is cautiously optimistic for a busy summer.

“We have seen small increases year over year since that downturn in 2009. That happened in 2010. It happened again in 2011. We’re feeling optimistic about the direction it’s going for 2012,” she said.

But hostel manager Wards believes tourism officials don’t have anything to worry about.

While the most international visitors are Americans, who can simply drive here, several other countries, including the United Kingdom, China and Australia, are showing healthy year over year increases.