The province has announced that it will be adding more than 1,900 new campsites in 2017 to help meet growing demand.
More than 800 of the sites will be in provincial parks while more than 1,000 will be in recreation sites, delivering a range of camping experiences in areas of highest demand.
“BC Parks define who we are as British Columbians and are a vital part of the BC advantage,” Premier Christy Clark said in a statement. “Protecting our world-class parks for future generations ensures we continue to attract global attention through tourism, investment and research, as we honour our natural history and as families create lasting memories together.”
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The new campsites are part of the BC Parks Future Strategy which will see the province invest up to $22.9 million over the next five years for campsite expansion, hiring more park rangers, enhanced conservation, and improving services for people with disabilities.
“We know British Columbians are passionate about our parks,” said Environment Minister Mary Polak. “But the world has also taken notice. Similar to what we’ve accomplished with the Great Bear Rainforest, our success in delivering unparalled experiences with nature has brought increasing demand to accommodate more people, programs and facilities.”
That increasing demand has led to an 18% increase in camping reservations over the past year, as more and more people opt to explore BC’s own beautiful backyard. In total BC’s parks receive more than 21 million visits each year.
“People come from all around the world to visit our BC Parks,” said Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Minister Shirley Bond. “This year, more than 4.5 million international visitors have come to our province and many of them have been drawn by the spectacular natural beauty of our parks.”
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