Room revenues fell (–11.0%, seasonally adjusted)
in December, almost completely offsetting the November gains of 11.7%.
The previous month’s
growth stemmed from a major influx of pre-Olympic vacation rental sales
(+115.7%) in Mainland/Southwest for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic
Games. As a result, December room revenues in Mainland/Southwest dropped
(–17.7%), compared to November’s 20.7% growth. Similarly, Vancouver
Island/Coast (–2.1%), Thompson/Okanagan (–3.0%), Kootenay (–6.6%) and
North Coast (–0.3%) room revenues contracted.
Cariboo (+0.3%), Nechako (+2.2%) and
Northeast (+5.7%) all saw accommodation
sales rise.
