B.C.'s community visitor centres aren't just for visitors. They're also a source of inspiration on ways to entertain visiting relatives and friends.

At the Kamloops Visitor Centre, staff can provide detailed advice on driving the Lakes and Trails Circle Route that passes through Kamloops and takes travellers on a seven- to 10-day scenic adventure through rolling ranch land, rich valleys and the communities of 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George, McBride and Valemount. It's one of nine circle routes featured in the Province's updated Circle Routes Scenic Driving Guide.

There are also numerous attractions in and around Kamloops, and from Aug. 5 to 14, 'Canada's Tournament Capital' will host hundreds of athletes, coaches and spectators for the Western Canada Summer Games.

Visitor centre staff can also assist with provincewide trip planning. Each location is stocked with a variety of Tourism BC's publications including the Circle Routes Scenic Driving Guide, the Outdoor Adventure Guide and the BC Vacation Planner.

Identified by their distinctive blue-and-yellow "i" logo, and located on driving routes throughout the province, B.C.'s 109 community visitor centres provide a wide range of trip-planning services, including visitor guides, activity suggestions, travel tips and accommodation reservations.

Why It Matters:

More than ever, British Columbians are choosing to stay close to home, taking vacations right here in B.C. In 2009, residents were the single-largest group of travellers in the province, representing roughly 52 per cent of all travellers.

Quick Facts:

• Community visitor centres are owned, operated and funded by a sponsor organization such as a local chamber of commerce, a destination marketing organization or a municipality.
• The Province supports community visitor centres through the provision of uniforms, training and 'fee for service' funding - which has increased from less than $1 million in 2001 to nearly $1.7 million today.
• Tourism contributes over $12.7 billion (2009) in revenue, a 48 per cent increase since 1999, and provides employment for nearly 129,000 British Columbians in every region of the province - roughly one out of every 14 workers.

Learn More at:

The Kamloops Visitor Centre is located at 1290 West Trans Canada Highway and offers a stunning view of the city and the North Thompson River Valley.

Community visitor centres in the Thompson Okanagan region are also located in Armstrong, Chase, Clearwater, Enderby, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Kelowna, Keremeos, Lake Country, Logan Lake, Lumby, Okanagan Connector, Oliver, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Sorrento, Summerland, Valemount, Vernon and West Kelowna.

For more information about British Columbia's visitor centres, please visit: http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/AboutBC/VisitorCentres/BritishColumbia.htm

For information about B.C.'s scenic driving routes, please visit:

http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/CircleRoutes/British-Columbia.htm

Media Contact:

Marisa Adair
Communications Director
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 920-8500