Fun in the Valley sun draws guests from all over. They're not just passing through. Abbotsford is a draw for tourists, capitalizing on both special events and the city's year-round beauty.
And they're coming from far and wide!
According to 2000 figures from the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, most visitors (75 percent in fact) are from BC 12 percent from other parts of Canada, with nine per cent from the U.S., three percent from Europe and another one percent from Asia and Australia.
And though most (73 percent) are same-day visitors, many are actually staying around. A full 12 percent stay over night. 8 percent stay two or three nights, while another 5 percent stay four to six nights. 2 percent stay seven nights or longer.
The major visitor attraction is the annual Abbotsford Airshow, which in 2000, drew more than 160,000 visitors.
Other major local facilities offer a range of events year round.
Located on Abbotsford Airport property, Tradex, the Fraser Valley Exhibition Centre, is a 120,000 sq.ft. (10,800 sq.m) facility, which hosts a number of events including home and car shows.
Abbotsford's Exhibition Park offers a home for major agricultural and business events.
The largest annual event at the park is Agrifair, Abbotsford's annual agricultural fair, which drew more than 55,000 people for its 1999 showing. In fact, it's positioning itself to become one of the largest events of its type in the nation.
The Abbotsford Airport has daily flights from air carriers such as Westjet, Air Canada Jazz, Helijet, Tango by Air Canada, Air Transat Holidays and Airspeed Aviation. To find out more about the airport visit their website at
www.abbotsfordairport.ca.
*The above information was reproduced with permission from the "Abbotsford Economic Development Magazine 2001 - 2002". The Abbotsford Economic Development Magazine is produced for the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce by the Abbotsford Times.
