Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Aug 03/01) - In a year of record-high gas prices, Fort Simpson is welcoming a record numbers of visitors.

Dawn Isiah is one of three employees at Fort Simpson's visitors centre. - Dave Sullivan/NNSL photo

While other tourist destinations are experiencing dropping numbers due to gasoline prices, the Deh Cho region is holding steady. The trend even shows this year's numbers will be higher than last.

Visitor centre director Grant Davis has an explanation.

People who come here are a unique breed. They want to get away, driving north until they can't go any further, he says.

"A lot of people come up here because it's the end of the road. They have no idea what's here until they get here."

From a high-up office loft, Davis has a commanding view of the village and the inside of the open-design, $700,000 visitor centre built a decade ago. It's second only to Yellowknife's.

By July 25 this summer, 1,569 visitors had stopped by, compared to 2,158 for all of last year. That leaves the centre well-positioned to surpass last year's total by the time it closes in mid-October. Last August there were 700 visitors.

"I don't think we'll have any problem beating that," Davis says. That is surprising, he adds, because of wet weather this summer.

Many visitors don't go to the centre, like some of the estimated 350 who fly into Virginia Falls for day trips.

Many tourists are returning to the region after long absences.

People like retired police officers who were once posted here, Davis said.