Tourism Mission had some encouraging milestones in the summer with room to grow.
Manager of Tourism Ema Low provided council with an update on the department at the meeting on Monday (Oct. 7).
Low said it can be difficult to collect data for tourism but the department remains committed to data-driven decision making.
A visitor-intercept survey conducted during the summer found that 80 per cent of those attending events in Mission were either from Mission or the Fraser Valley.
“This is a great indicator of strong regional engagement, but it also shows an opportunity for growth. Expanding our reach beyond the immediate area could help us attract more out-of-town visitors and further boost our local economy,” Low said.
The survey also found that 82 per cent of respondents planned to spend money on other attractions in the area and roughly 25 per cent of those people were planning to spend over $100.
During the presentation, Low also noted the upcoming Holiday Nostalgia Tour in Mission as a way to boost tourism during the offseason.
The kickoff event is set for Nov. 16th at 11:00 a.m. at The Junction Shopping Centre, featuring live performances, festive activities, and holiday-themed displays. The event concludes with the fourth annual Mission Movie Moment at SilverCity Cineplex, showing a holiday film.
The Holiday Nostalgia Tour will run through the holiday season, featuring nearly 20 participating local businesses that will display archival holiday images, offering a nostalgic glimpse into Mission’s past.