The B.C. government announced they are investing $10.5 million into the tourism sector this year across 14 resort municipalities, aiming to improve infrastructure.
The investment is part of the Resort Municipality Initiative, which helps grow the province’s tourism industry. The program has been extended to the end of 2017.
The B.C. government says they have invested nearly $100 million into tourist towns in the province through the initiative since 2006.
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“We know that the tourism sector helps drive our diverse economy and is a significant job creator,” said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond.
“We want to ensure that when visitors choose to enjoy one of these resort municipalities they have a memorable experience and that it motivates them to continue to make British Columbia their year round destination of choice.”
2014 saw a spike in tourism, with nearly 250,000 more tourists coming to B.C. than the previous year.
Out of the 14 resorts receiving funding, Whistler received the heftiest grant at $7 million.
Whistler is in the midst of a labour shortage as tourism continues to climb in the region. Changes to the temporary foreign worker program by the federal government have left many local businesses struggling to find enough labour to cover one of the busiest tourist seasons on record.
The resort town has been trying to encourage people to come to Whistler for jobs by offering “world class training” and suggesting businesses offer competitive wages and advertise for jobs on boards outside of Whistler.
Here’s a breakdown of each eligible municipality and the amount of money they are receiving from the government:
- Osoyoos: $400,000
- Tofino: $640,000
- Harrison Hot Springs: $300,000
- Sun Peaks: $300,000
- Fernie: $400,000
- Radium: $100,000
- Golden: $550,000
- Kimberley: $76,000
- Valemount: $57,000
- Invermere: $86,000
- Whistler: $7,000,000
- Ucluelet: $180,000
- Revelstoke: $600,000
- Rossland: $71,000
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