British Columbia was a very popular place for international visitors this summer, according to numbers released Friday by the provincial government. The number of tourists in August was up 2.3 per cent from the same month last year, as 18,499 more visitors arrived in this province. There were 4.1 million international overnight custom entries to B.C. — an increase of 2.8 per cent — in the first eight months this year, compared with the same period a year ago. A big increase in Mexican traffic was partly responsible for the increase.The number of visitors from Mexico increased 25 per cent to 104,308 people. Visitors from Australia also surged with a 23 per cent jump to 183,849. Germany has sent 77,610 people to B.C. this year, an increase of 14.2 per cent. The U.S., by far B.C.’s largest international market, recorded a slight increase of 0.8 per cent, or 2.66 million visitors to the end of August.
Peninsula chamber honours businesses
Hook & Hook Renovations and Professional Components took home the major prizes at this year’s annual Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Crystal Awards for Business Excellence.
Hook & Hook was named business of the year (1-15 employees), while Professional Components won that same award in the 16-plus employees category.
Other winners at the 11th annual awards were: O.R.C.C.A. Dental Clinic in the non-profit category; SeaFirst Insurance Brokers for Contribution to the Community; Raincoast Conservation Foundation won as green business of the year; the newsmaker of the year was the Victoria Airport Authority; lifetime achievement went to Art Finlayson; the award for entrepreneurial spirit went to Wilson's Transportation; the new business of the year was Flader Business Centre; the employer of the year was Peninsula Co-op; Peninsula IDA Pharmacy took home honours for outstanding customer service; and Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa won for new product or service of the year.
New construction association board
The Vancouver Island Construction Association has added four new faces to its board room. Joining the board of directors are Stuart Cuthbert, Mark Liudzius, Chris Lyons and Kate Ulmer.
Leaving the board this year are Katy Fairley, Brian Kapuscinski, and Doug Savory.
Don’t miss
On Nov. 18-19, 500 young people will meet at Royal Bay Secondary for what’s being billed as Summit at the Bay. The two-day seminar is about future-proofing kids, as leaders help the young people dive into their personal interests and expand their personal development. Contact Rebecca Kirstein by email at rebecca@rethinkthinking.ca or call 250-818-9300.
