Staycations and local spending: Survey finds parks provide local getaway opportunities amidst pandemic lockdowns
For interviews, please contact:
Tori Ball
Terrestrial Campaigner
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24
Staycations and local spending: Survey finds parks provide local getaway opportunities amidst pandemic lockdowns
For Immediate Release
September 15 2020
Traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples/Vancouver, BC — A new online survey from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) highlights the benefits of provincial parks to BC’s economy, with 79% of respondents agreeing that tourism to parks can help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“People are visiting parks more than they ever have and are spending money in local communities when they visit. This is helping keep jobs in small businesses that have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic and underscores the importance of BC’s parks in rebuilding our economy,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner with CPAWS-BC.
Key findings of CPAWS-BC’s new survey include:
- Parks are an essential part of BC’s recovery: 79% agreed that tourism to BC’s provincial parks plays an important role in BC’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Parks are providing getaways close to home: 70% of respondents said they were likely to only travel within BC in the next 12 months
- 89% of people said they were more or as likely to travel to provincial parks in the next 12 months, compared to last year.
- Tourism to parks benefits local communities: 94% of respondents agree or strongly agree that local businesses near BC’s provincial parks benefit from park visitors
- Local businesses cash in: The majority of visitors to BC Parks spend money on accommodations, restaurants, and other local businesses.
- 80% of people said they spent more than $50 in or around a provincial park on a recent trip
- 53% of people said they spent more than $100 in or around a provincial park on a recent trip
This summer was one of the busiest on record for BC Parks, with Google mobility data reporting between 150 – 200% increases in visits to parks across the province throughout spring and summer 2020. Looking ahead, the majority of British Columbians expect to travel to parks just as much or more than they already do. This is raising concerns about whether or not parks will be ready to support more visitors when they’re already struggling and well over capacity.
“We’re already experiencing the consequences of an overburdened park system, with overcrowded trails and campsites being the new norm. This is really frustrating for people trying to follow provincial health orders by spending more time outside and close to home, who are unable to get a day use pass or camping reservation for their family,” says Ball.
CPAWS-BC is advocating for an increase in operational funding for BC Parks, to support British Columbians through the public health crisis and to help build back a better and more resilient provincial economy.
“The public health benefits of parks are widely recognized at this point, and the economic returns from investing in these places are well within reach. Parks need to be part of the solution, and now is the time for the province to cash in on these benefits by reinvesting in parks,” says Ball.
This survey was conducted online between September 3 and 8. Responses were collected from 979 British Columbians, with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of plus or minus (±) 3%.
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For interviews, contact:
Tori Ball
Terrestrial Campaigner
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24
