NORTH 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 North Vancouver Visitor Centre, staff can provide detailed advice on driving the Heritage Discovery Circle Route that passes through Vancouver and takes travellers on a seven- to 14-day cultural adventure through B.C.'s historic destinations and the communities of Hope, Prince George, Smithers, Port McNeill, Campbell River and Victoria. It's one of nine circle routes featured in the Province's updated Circle Routes Scenic Driving Guide.

Other attractions within North Vancouver include:

• The Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver's oldest tourist attraction.
• Grouse Mountain, which offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.
• Deep Cove, considered a kayaking haven with tranquil waters extending up the fjord of Indian Arm.

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 dollars (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 in every 14 workers.

Learn More:

The North Vancouver Visitor Centre is located at 124 West 1st Street. Also, two visitor centre satellite locations are open daily during the summer at the Lonsdale Quay Market and at the corner of Capilano Road and Marine Drive.

Community visitor centres in the Vancouver Coast Mountains region are also located in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Gibsons, Hope, Langley, Lytton, Mission, New Westminster, Pemberton, Pitt Meadows, Powell River, Richmond, Sechelt, Squamish, Surrey, Vancouver, Whistler and White Rock.

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 Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 920-8500