We're halfway through the year, and the numbers are pointing to a nice increase in tourism.Flavien Mabit, the manager of the Sandspit Visitor Information Centre, said that two hundred more tourists passed through the centre this May compared to last May. The centre is also getting many more phone calls for information about the islands."I think nature is a big draw," he said, adding that our large 7.7 earthquake last October and the ensuing news stories may have contributed. "I'm not sure, it might be a good year."Shawna McLeod, the manager of the Queen Charlotte Visitor Information Centre, also reports an increase over previous years, especially in the summer months.July and August are by far the busiest months at the Queen Charlotte centre, with July being slightly busier last year. During 2012, the visitor centre recorded a total of 11,342 visitors. More than 60 percent of them arrived in the two busy summer months: 3,730 in July, and 3,551 in August.