Yukon tourism could benefit from lower dollar, gas prices

Lower gas prices and a lower Canadian dollar appear to be good news for tourism operators in Yukon who rely on the so-called "rubber tire trade" for their business.

Denise Schwerzmann, rentals manager at Fraserway RV in Whitehorse, says its bookings for this summer are up more than 10 per cent over last year.

"We're not sure what the reasons are for this increase in the bookings but we think part of it is that the gas prices that are falling as well as the dollar is pretty cheap right now," Schwerzmann says.

She says most of Fraserway's bookings come from Europeans and the company's 115 units are almost fully booked for the month of June. 

Another company, Ruby Range Adventure, which runs guided tours in Yukon and Alaska, hasn't noticed an increase in bookings from international clients. 

But Brent Gavin, the company's sales manager, says with 20 vehicles there will be big savings if gas prices stay low.

"That's a lot of time on the road and that's a lot of fuel being consumed. So in the end, obviously, it's nothing but a positive effect," Gavin says.

He says the falling dollar has more of a mixed impact on Ruby Range. Gavin says if the Canadian dollar remains near its current 83 cents US, travel in Alaska will be more expensive.