Greater Victoria's tourism industry got a much-needed boost in September thanks to great weather.
According to statistics released by Chemistry Consulting, record sunshine and well-below-normal precipitation levels had hotels humming. "September tourism performance was strong for Victoria's hotels, airport and conference business. Record sunny weather conditions prolonged many summer vacations and getaways to the Island," said Chemistry principal Frank Bourree.
Victoria recorded 288.8 hours of sunshine in September, well above the normal of 217.8 hours, while seeing only 2.2 millimetres of rain compared with the normal levels of 30.4 mm.
The result was 75.8 per cent occupancy in the region's hotels, up from 73.9 per cent at the same time last year. Revenue per available room - a key indicator in the health of hotels - rose $3.46 to $102.78. However, year-to-date the region is still trailing 2011.
Through the first nine months of this year, average occupancy was 66.5 per cent, compared with 67 per cent in 2011. Revenue per available room was down $1.27 to $83.14.
Ferry traffic between the mainland and Swartz Bay in September also remained below last year's numbers. Vehicle traffic was down 2.17 per cent in September and down two per cent year-to-date. Passenger numbers were down just under one per cent in September and down 1.38 per cent year to date.
Bus traffic was down 0.9 per cent in September, but through the first nine months of the year has shown a 2.1 per cent improvement over last year.
Airport traffic remained flat both in September and year to date - in both cases improving by less than 0.5 per cent.
The Victoria Conference Centre had a strong September with 12,710 delegate days, up from 5,175 in September 2011. However, conference business year-to-date remained down 7.33 per cent.
In Nanaimo, good weather saw a slight increase in hotel occupancy levels to 63.27 per cent and revenue per available room was up $2.87 to $71.68.
Year-to-date, the city is also ahead of last year with occupancy at 58.24 per cent and revenue per room up $3.83 to $67.54.
The Nanaimo airport has seen a 10 per cent increase in traffic year-to-date.
