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Visitor numbers on the upswing
Tourism Radium Hot Springs is reporting that visitor numbers have been on an upswing this summer season over 2014.
In June the Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre welcomed 9,999 visitors and 4,467 parties to the centre; a 46% increase over 2014 (6,863 visitors / 3,220 parties).
And that was just a warm-up for July, when the centre welcomed 18,019 visitors / 7,613 parties, a 33% increase over 2014 (13,562 visitors / 5,935 parties).
August was also up but only slightly.
“Currently we’ve welcomed (15,135) visitors / (6,463) parties to the Visitor Centre. For the month of August 2014 we welcomed 14,908 visitors / 6,245 parties to the Visitors Centre,” Tourism Radium reported today (August 31).
The Radium Hot Springs Visitor Centre is the only Community Visitor Centre in the province open 362 days a year; it also ranked the sixth busiest Community Visitor Centre in the province; capping 2014 with 58,782 visitors / 27,347 parties. Year-to-date stats as follows 56,076 visitors / 24,993 parties.
The Visitor Centre employees are instrumental in directing visitors to local businesses and attractions and in many cases influencing their decisions on staying an extra day or two. They are that all-important ‘first impression,’ the welcoming ambassadors of our community, Tourism Radium Hot Springs noted in its August/September update.
“We would like to thank our dedicated staff for all of their hard work. We have had an incredibly busy spring and summer this year and couldn’t give the incredible customer service without them,” Tourism Radium stated.
Some ill-timed bouts of cheeky weather have played havoc on Tourism Radium’s Music & Market on Main.
The events “have been successful despite the wind and rain which has resulted in three evening cancellations. Early in July we had two big storms roll in around 6:15 causing tents to fly and visitors to scatter. Last week, after much deliberation, we made the decision to cancel due to the poor weather. We welcomed The Steadies on August 14 when we had our biggest night of Music & Market ever with 1,500 visitors throughout the evening. The vendors reported fantastic sales and everyone loved the music,” Tourism Radium said.
For locals who haven’t been by the visitor centre in a while: stop by to see the growing educational wildlife display. The cougar and black bear additions to the display look incredible.
Visitor Centre fall and winter hours began yesterday, Sunday August 30. The centre will be operating 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre hours of operation are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily until mid October.
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