Editor:
What are we to understand from the Gibsons’ short-term rental/residential guest accommodation data? Here’s my take. Twenty-nine new homes are nothing to sniff at. However, less than 40 per cent of STR’s removed have become homes. The increase in hotel rooms is not making up for the loss in STRs. Moreover, hotel rooms are more expensive than STRs. Even at four to a room, at least two rooms are needed for a family of five or more, not to mention spending more on restaurant meals. And where do you sit?
Of course, we need to see the same data from Sechelt (not sure they have it). However, these initial data from Gibsons strongly support those who predicted a substantial net loss in tourist accommodation. This is not good for the Coast.
John Carsley, Tuwanek
