Party politics Riding associations get ready for federal election in 2015. Page 11 Fiddle fun Instrument takes Lisa Ornstein to unlikely places. Page 16 Driveway Edgy Lexus enters crowded crossover market. Page 7
Fight night Page 30
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THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014
VOL. 26, NO. 18
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islanders help boost city’s tourism stats
Laura Landry demonstrates her excitement about the B.C. Summer Games while directing volunteers at Beban Park Social Centre last week. CHRIS BUSH /THe NewS BUlleTIN
Stay-cationers and traffic from U.S., mainland increase hotel, campground occupancy rates By Tamara Cunningham THe NewS bULLeTiN
Community responds to call for volunteers By Chris Bush THe NewS bULLeTiN
When Dirk Heydemann, director of photography for the 2014 B.C. Summer Games, checked in with volunteer photographers to confirm they were still committed to shooting the Games’ team pictures and medal presentations, about 15 of them said they had to drop out because of family or health issues, they were moving and other reasons. Fearing he might lose even more photographers, Heydemann put out an urgent call for
replacements on social media, where respondents quickly replaced most of the losses. “I’d like to have 50 to 60 photographers throughout the weekend,” Heydemann said. “We’ve got some people who are volunteering just four hours and some who are volunteering the whole four days, so I feel much better.” Attracting and committing volunteers has ranked among the top challenges for games organizers. About 3,200 are needed to support operations and the 3,500 athletes plus coaching staff.
Quality & Service at Budget Prices Wisecrack Of The Week
Smiling improves face value.
See ‘ORGANIZERS’ /5
Nanaimo’s tourism industry has no where to go but up. That’s the word from Frank Bourree, principal of Victoriabased Chemistry Consulting Group Inc., on the heels of a recent tourism report. According to Chemistry’s May tourism bulletin, the Harbour City has seen year-overyear increases in activity at the Nanaimo airport, the Vancouver Island Conference Centre and local hotels and motels. The airport saw a 29-per cent increase in traffic over May 2013, while the average occupancy rate is up 6.4 per cent – a number that translates into $250,000 in additional room revenue when coupled with higher average daily room rates. Vehicles and passengers for B.C. Ferries have slipped, dropping 8.5 per cent, but bus traffic is up 36 per cent. Those in the tourism industry are optimistic the upswing in tourism will carry through the summer and beyond, thanks to awareness campaigns by Tourism Nanaimo, a resurgence in American travellers and stay-
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cationers. The city also skirted June-uary weather this year with less rain and higher temperatures than normal between May and July, and plans to host major multi-day events like the B.C. Summer Games. “I think we will see great numbers for this year,” said Lesley Anderson, executive director of destination management for Tourism Nanaimo, who anticipates July alone will yield good statistics. “I think we are seeing a lot of positive signs from the Asian markets; we are seeing rebounding of the U.S. market, we are actively promoting in the Pacific Northwest and Alberta, which are strong markets for us, we have new airline capacity ... all of those things are contributing, in addition to a major sporting event.” Scott Littlejohn, owner of Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV Park, has seen tourism make a comeback since the 2008 recession, when people seemed to put travel plans on hold. He’s calling this year his bestever with double-digit increases in clientele over May alone. See ‘FERRY’ /7
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