April 2008 — VOLUME 6 ISSUE 4
More events will draw visitors
The chairlifts are closed and Sun Peaks Resort is slowly shedding its winter skin for the quieter atmosphere of the shoulder season. But does the resort become too sleepy during its restorative period to draw potential visitors?
The Sun Peaks Golf Course opens May 17, but besides that the village stays fairly quiet until mountain biking season begins. Many businesses shut down as a result, some for vacation; others feel it's too costly to stay open.
"Everyone closing definitely looks [bad] for guests, but being a small business I can't afford to lose my shirt," says Scott Janzen, owner of 5Forty Café and Deli. "If I close, it's due to the fact that there's nobody here."
But in order to attract business you need to create an attraction. While there's been feedback from tour operators that tourists are unhappy with the available store options, Christopher Nicolson, president of Tourism Sun Peaks, says providing them with accurate information about store hours, and creating a more lively business centre is important.
"Feedback we've had [from the tour buses] when they come into the resort is that there's not much open," says Nicolson. "What upsets the tour buses even more is not knowing the information."
Nicolson notes this summer looks to be different than past seasons. After meeting with retailers in the area, business owners suggested becoming more involved with local events and activities like the farmers market to help create a more inviting and exciting atmosphere. A more united and lively business community would likely create more business.
Dan Yano, manager of Club Mackdaddy's says though the nightclub will only be open Friday to Sunday evenings, they'll be relying on events held at Sun Peaks for business.
"I'm waiting to hear . . . if we have any mountain bike events happening," he says. "We're going to see what weekends we can do something [with] to make it worthwhile. As long as there are enough people up here I will do shows."
It's another hurdle Sun Peaks, as a growing resort, will likely overcome. But, for the time being it's important to keep visitors interested and coming back.
"The first step is commitment," says Nicolson. "If information is reliable and accurate then we'll be able to better manage the situation."
Site designed and maintained by: PeaksMedia.com