Destination BC announces three-year Base Funding for Visitor Services Network

Vancouver—Last year, British Columbia welcomed 5.7 million international visitors – an increase of 3.3% or 181,700 more visitors up from 2016. As tourism numbers continue to rise, so does the need to ensure visitors are receiving exemplary visitor information when and where they need it.

In 2017, Visitor Centres around the province served almost 2.9 million visitors in their communities and at their physical locations. Destination BC recognizes the valuable contribution that Visitor Services provides and is once again announcing three-years of base funding to support more than 100 communities in their provision of visitor services.

This three-year commitment will provide improved long-term business planning, increased stability and allow for innovation in communities across the province. In 2018/19, $1.825 million has been allotted for base funding. Base funding will help community Visitor Centres around BC to keep pace with the changing needs and expectations of visitors, including through the use of technology.

This announcement comes during Tourism Week, from May 27 – June 2, marked to acknowledge the operators, employees, suppliers, destination marketing organizations and others who contribute to the industry. Destination BC works with the Visitor Services Network and the entire tourism industry to expand the delivery of visitor services for the future, by creating more contemporary and innovative approaches to serve guests’ information needs as they travel throughout the province.

Quotes:
Grant Mackay, VP, Destination Management, Destination BC
“The renewal of three years of base funding will empower the Visitor Services Network and partner communities around the province to continue to improve the visitor experience and strengthen BC’s reputation, contributing to our efforts to help BC become the most highly recommended destination in North America.”

Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture
“Providing excellent visitor services is one of the many ways we make vacationing in British Columbia fun and easy for those who choose our province as their travel destination. I’m delighted to hear that Destination BC is committed to serving visitors through on-going funding of the Visitor Services Network. This gives communities the resources they need to develop and implement world-class services so that those visiting B.C. have access to the right information at the right time.”

For more information about BC’s Visitor Services Network, visit: https://www.hellobc.com/plan-your-trip/visitor-information-services

About Destination BC:
Destination BC is an industry-led Crown corporation that works collaboratively with tourism partners across the province to coordinate marketing at the international, provincial, regional and local levels. For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit: DestinationBC.ca

For additional information, please contact:
Media Relations
Destination BC
Email: Media.Relations@DestinationBC.ca