Wildfires Ignite Trouble for Western Canada's Tourism

Western Canada's tourism industry faces severe challenges from increasing wildfires. Concerns about blazes, smoky skies, and road closures are deterring visitors, affecting local economies. After Canada's worst wildfire year in 2023, popular destinations like Jasper and various regions in British Columbia see a drop in bookings and evacuations.

Severe wildfire seasons are increasingly affecting western Canada's lucrative tourism industry. With escalating concerns about uncontrolled blazes, smoke-filled skies, and road closures, visitors are now avoiding the busy late-summer months. Following a scorching July, nearly 600 wildfires are raging across British Columbia and Alberta, including a massive fire devastating Jasper in the Canadian Rockies.

Many communities, including popular holiday spots in British Columbia's Kootenay region, are under evacuation orders with several highways closed. This surge in wildfires follows Canada's worst-ever wildfire year in 2023, burning over 15 million hectares and impacting cities like West Kelowna in British Columbia's wine region.

Ellen Walker-Matthews, head of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, noted increased last-minute travel decisions over advance bookings, highlighting, 'It's a huge blow. July and August are traditionally the busiest months in the region.' Despite her region being relatively unaffected, some visitors are avoiding interior British Columbia.

The British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association reports a 5-15% drop in bookings, with the hottest Okanagan and Cariboo regions seeing the largest declines. Joss Penny, association head, expressed concern, saying, 'The concern is that this is something we have to live with annually now.'

Scientists agree that drier, hotter conditions fuelled by climate change are resulting in more frequent and intense wildfires. Events like the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival have been rescheduled to avoid peak smoke season, and concerns grow that tourists are permanently altering travel plans due to climatic events. Elizabeth Halpenny, a tourism researcher, pointed out that seasonal workers are particularly vulnerable to these changes.

Tourism generated C$7.2 billion for British Columbia's economy in 2022 and C$9.9 billion for Alberta in 2023. Jasper National Park, a key tourist destination with over 2 million visitors annually, faces significant damage and long-term recovery challenges. Kelly Torrens from Kensington Tours stated that 49 trips slated for Jasper this season are in limbo, impacting local tourism heavily.

Elizabeth Halpenny shared her hedged plans, booking alternate campsites to avoid possible vacation disruptions. With ongoing wildfires and smoke concerns, the future of western Canada's tourism amid shifting climatic conditions remains uncertain.

(With inputs from agencies.)