West Coast tourism officials: Don’t worry about fires

SAN FRANCISCO – Alarmed by as much as $20 million in lost tourism revenue last month due to visitors’ fear of wildfires, California tourism officials are teaming up with Oregon and Washington to reassure tourists it’s safe to visit.

The three states on Thursday said they formed the West Coast Tourism Recovery Coalition to encourage tourism. All three have faced massive wildfires and skies clogged with smoke this summer.

But the officials say less than 1 per cent of the states’ combined area has been affected by fires in 2018.

Tourists spend an estimated $166 billion annually in the three states. California officials say a survey found $20 million in cancelled trips in July due to wildfires.

In Oregon, industry officials say $51 million in tourism revenue was lost last year because of wildfires.