The tourism industry has been hit hard because of COVID-19 but one Kamloops operator has been able to weather the storm and says 2021 is shaping up to be a good year.

Wells Gray Tours owner and president, Roland Neave, says the travel agency has 65 tours up on their website for next year with some already sold out.

He says most customers are looking forward to getting away.

“There’s a few people that are nervous and they have booked a long time ago, but the majority of our customers are just so excited about getting out of their homes and not staring at four walls anymore. They’re excited about the future and that’s why they’re booking trips, so that they have something to look forward to. Some people are booking a year in advance for trips”

Neave says a vacation is something that can show people a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s a good emotional feeling to have something exciting to look forward to and I think that’s what travel can provide, even if it’s not something that’s going to happen immediately in the future but a few months away, sure it’s a great uplifting feeling.”

The company has 21 office staff as well as seven tour operators. Neave hasn’t had to lay anybody off, thanks to some help from the feds.

“All of our office staff are working regular hours, full pay ever since March. I couldn’t do it without the (Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) from the federal government, and that’s been very helpful. But at least everybody is still working, and they’re all busy.”