Over the next few weeks, staff from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation will begin to consult and work directly with a team of community leaders and tourism stakeholders from Burns Lake on tourism planning to strengthen economic opportunities for the area.

Working closely with members of the community, business leaders, the Northern British Columbia Tourism Association and Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia, ministry staff will refresh planning previously undertaken in 2009 through the Province's Community Tourism Foundations program to help identify any existing tourism development challenges and prioritize opportunities to support the local tourism industry.

The Village of Burns Lake currently participates in co-operative tourism marketing initiatives funded in part by the Province and co-ordinated through the Northern British Columbia Tourism Association. For fiscal 2011-12, Burns Lake has been approved for up to $9,200 in co-operative tourism marketing funding to assist in the production of a community trail map and mountain bike brochure, and to updating their photo image bank.

Since the Babine Forest Products mill accident, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell and ministry staff having been working with local MLA John Rustad, mayor and council, First Nations chiefs, union leaders and industry representatives to help the community recover as quickly as possible.

The Province established a cross-ministry leadership group that is co-ordinating the provincial government's response and recovery efforts. Forest industry veteran Bob Clark, vice-president of forestry consultants J.B. Clark and Co., is leading the provincial government's on-the-ground Burns Lake economic response.

Quotes:

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation -

"We have committed to develop strategies for Burns Lake to recover economically from the Babine mill tragedy. Burns Lake is a beautiful area and is making great strides as a mountain bike destination. Therefore I have asked ministry staff to take a closer look at tourism planning for the area and work with industry stakeholders and community leaders to increase tourism opportunities."

John Rustad, MLA Nechako Lakes -

"The challenge that Burns Lake is facing over the short term cannot be overstated. But the key is to look at multiple options for moving the community forward and tourism has an enormous potential to help diversify the economy."

Anthony Everett, CEO of Northern British Columbia Tourism Association -

"Burns Lake and the entire Lake's District is recognized by travellers for its unique beauty and activity based experiences such as mountain biking."

"The Northern British Columbia Tourism Association, partnered with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation and Burns Lake stakeholders, will work together to further enhance the community's tourism goals by building upon this solid foundation. Tourism is a great way for Burns Lake residents to celebrate their pride of place and further efforts to help the community recover."

Quick Facts:

• The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation works with the B.C.'s six regional destination marketing organizations (RDMO) and communities throughout the province on tourism development initiatives.
• Two community-based programs work closely with groups looking to develop tourism in their area for both the long and short-term.
• The Community Tourism Foundations program assists communities to develop a comprehensive multi-year tourism plan. By providing a range of tools, proven resources and customized destination and market development assistance, the program can accommodate the needs of communities in various stages of tourism development.
• Community Tourism Opportunities is a provincewide program that provides co-operative funding for eligible tourism activities in communities throughout B.C. The program is designed to assist communities that are in a position to implement their own tourism building initiatives.

Contact:

Sheldon Johnson
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 213-5811