WHISTLER — Whistler Blackcomb just surpassed 1.14 million visitors this year, the highest year-to-date visits in the company’s history.
Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc., the publicly traded company that operates the Whistler Blackcomb four-season mountain resort, reported total visits for the year to Feb. 8 were 1.14 million — an increase of 21 per cent over the prior year. Approximately 58 per cent of its guests are regional and 42 per cent are destination guests, compared to 56 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively, in the comparative period last year. Estimated forward hotel bookings over the remainder of the ski season in Whistler’s accommodation sector as of Feb. 8 were pacing about 11 per cent ahead of bookings at the same time last year.
“We are very pleased with our first quarter performance,” says Dave Brownlie, president and CEO. “Increased guest visitation from both our regional and destination markets, combined with strong spending in our ancillary businesses, contributed to our record financial results. Since Dec. 31, 2015, our strong visitation momentum has continued and I am pleased to report that we have welcomed the highest total visits in our history for the year-to-date period.”
The company has also earmarked $8 million for growth projects to upgrade and expand on-mountain facilities and infrastructure as well as its non-ski business.
