Lodging Stats in Fernie - UPDATE

Accommodation occupancy year-to-date up to June 30th (traditional accommodations) has seen a strong growth in numbers thanks to both corporate and leisure travellers. Additional stats from KeyData on AirBnB / STR rentals around Fernie show similar numbers to 2023 year-to-date.

Lodging revenues overall, calculated from the 3% MRDT hotel tax collected from visitors staying at both traditional and STR accommodations, covering January - June 2024 are $17,113,293, up 10% over the same period last year. April, May & June lodging numbers in Fernie recovered the lost revenues (10%), and then some, from the winter season due to some of the challenging winter weather conditions.

The bar chart above shows Fernie's lodging occupancy percentage (Source: CoStar) against other key destinations and the change over the previous year. Fernie's occupancy % (how full the hotel is compared to its total units available) is higher than the previous year, and most of its competition this year.

A new boat launch ramp and signage kiosks will be constructed and installed in Morrissey in September. This is part of a multi-year project to improve river access.

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE - September 2nd - 15th, 2024:

• Phase 1 - Sept 2nd - 8th - Boat launch OPEN, construction zone, no parking in parking area by boat launch, shoulder parking on Morrissey Road allowed, but could be limited.
• Phase 2 - Sept 9th - 13th - Boat launch CLOSED & Parking CLOSED, no access to Elk River.
• Phase 3 - Sept 14th & 15th - Boat launch OPEN, construction zone, no parking in parking area by boat launch, shoulder parking on Morrissey Road allowed, but could be limited.

VIEW the Elk River Map to plan your alternative river activity, put-ins and take-outs during construction work. Click here for more info on river access locations.

Tourism Fernie in the Community

Fernie Community Centre & New Elk Valley Field House Society

In light of the recent closure of the Fernie Community Centre, Tourism Fernie is working along side key stakeholders to understand the impacts to the community and tourism industry, and to provide support into the future. The group of stakeholders have now formed to become the new Elk Valley Field House Society with the purpose to support the physical, mental, economic and social wellbeing of the Elk Valley by funding, building, and operating a recreational and gathering facility.

The society is looking, in partnership with the City, to support a more immediate, medium-term facility while looking to a more permanent recreational complex solution for the future.

The new society will be open to all not-for-profit organizations in the Elk Valley. Current membership includes:

Fernie Youth Soccer Association - Elk Valley Rugby Association - Fernie Volleyball Club - Fernie Tennis - Fernie Pickleball - Fernie Netball - Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club - Tourism Fernie - Fernie Chamber of Commerce.

Marketing Update

Fall Destination Campaign

Marketing campaign promoting Fall experiences in Fernie is in full swing. Consisting of a mix of traditional TV, connected TV, streaming, digital and print tactics, our aim is to inspire overnight visitation in the quieter time of the year.

Learn with Destination BC & Destination Canada

Tourism Digital Marketing Academy - Destination BC

The Tourism Digital Academy is a free, 8-week digital marketing program. The Self-Guided program is a condensed version of the in-class Tourism Digital Academy, designed for BC-based tourism businesses who prefer the freedom of working at their own pace with unlimited access to digital marketing instruction videos, templates and resources at your fingertips for 6 months.

From setting your goals, to building a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, analytics and more – this program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance to set you on a path to complete your businesses’ digital marketing plan.

Fernie in the Spotlight

Ascend TV - Fall Episode

A hiking & fishing feature episode filmed in 2023, currently being broadcast internationally, will soon be available publicly on OutsideTV & Ascend TV!

Kootenay Dirt - Regional Co-op

'The Ultimate 4-Day East Kootenay's Road Trip' by Sara Parsons

Tourism Fernie News and Resources

BC Ale Trail Sip & Stay Campaign

Enjoy craft beer, great accommodation and the very best of fall in British Columbia. The BC Ale Trail Sip & Stay Campaign launches Sept.1 and Fernie is one of the first stops for travellers from Alberta and the Prairies.



Welcome new member - Polar Peek Books

Polar Peek Books is under new management. Maureen Tuggle and Melanie Jeanotte are already well known in the community, and took over this Fernie mainstay in Spring. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing all you plan to do with this beloved location!

RDEK Elk Valley OCP Survey

On Friday, April 12, 2024, the RDEK Board of Directors initiated a review and update of the Elk Valley Official Community Plan. A community survey to gather initial feedback is now open until August 31, 2024.



We welcome business updates from you that we can share in future e-newsletters. We also send a monthly e-newsletter to visitors promoting Fernie - if you don't already receive that email and would like to be added to the mailing list, please email info@tourismfernie.com.

We gratefully acknowledge that we do our business on the homelands of the

Ktunaxa Nation, Qukin ʔAmakʔis, and we honor and respect their ancestors of the past.