The Government of British Columbia is growing tourism economies by providing $10.5 million to 14 resort municipalities throughout the province. Golden is receiving $613,236 to support local tourism.

The Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) supports the BC Jobs Plan and Gaining the Edge: BC’s Tourism Strategy by helping resort based municipalities address the unique challenges they face as seasonally dependent economies to grow their tourism offerings.

The Town of Golden has received $5,316,383 since qualifying for RMI funding in 2006 and will use the most recent instalment for planned activities including increased signage and welcoming highway aesthetics, a visitor hub, community square, green spaces and snowmobile trails.

Golden has focused its RMI spending on capital beautification projects and highlighting its unique tourism offerings, including Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and other outdoor pursuits. Refurbishment of the Golden Civic Centre has transformed the building into a modernized, efficient, attractive and professional performing arts centre, seeing sold-out events in 2012 and 2013.

B.C.’s Tourism Sector is one of the eight key sectors identified in the BC Jobs Plan creating more than 125,000 jobs and over $13.5 billion in revenues in the province. Since 2006, over $87.6 million has been invested in tourism infrastructure and programs to support local and regional tourism economies in the 14 communities.

Participating municipalities undertake programs or projects which will encourage visitors to stay longer and visit more often. Projects range from building pedestrian and mountain biking trails, boat launches, and beach improvements to holding festivals and events.

Municipalities participating in the RMI program are Fernie, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rossland, Sun Peaks, Tofino, Ucluelet, Valemount and Whistler.

The RMI program objective is to increase the number of visitors and their length of stay, and broaden resort activities to help expand the length of the tourist season, increase employment, and diversify the local tax base. Each resort municipality develops a five-year plan, through local stakeholder consultation, which sets out the broad direction and desired outcomes to guide their future tourism development and promotion.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour -

“We want to see our resort communities thriving. The Resort Municipality Initiative is designed to help improve and strengthen the economies of these tourism hot spots. It also means more jobs and ensuring visitors return to the communities for years to come.”

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State Tourism and Small Business -

“Tourism is a key economic driver throughout the province. We’re pleased to be able to provide this additional funding. It’s an investment in 14 resort communities to support further growth in tourism.”

Christina Benty, Mayor of Golden -

"The positive benefits that Golden receives from the Resort Municipality Initiative program shouldn’t be understated. It provides Golden with funds to build beautiful, functional, and tourist-friendly amenities that we could otherwise never afford. It enhances the tourism experience for visitors and adds value for residents as well. How refreshing it is to be able to make our community look and feel better!"

Quick Facts:

• Since 2006, through RMI, more than $87.6 million has been invested in tourism infrastructure and programs to support local and regional tourism economies.
• Tourism is one of the largest industries in the Province. In the last decade, tourism revenue in B.C. increased by 42.9%. B.C. continues to grow its tourism sector throughout the province, in part by using the 'Gaining the Edge' tourism strategy. It focuses on developing key tourism products such as touring vacations, city experiences, skiing and snowboarding, Aboriginal tourism, conventions and meetings, as well as outdoor adventure/eco-tourism.
• Total tourism wages and salaries were $4.3 billion in 2012, an increase of 4% since 2011. In 2012, the tourism sector employed 127,300 British Columbians. That is almost one in every 15 jobs in B.C. and an increase of 0.6% from 2011.

To learn more about the program, please visit: http://www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca/about/RMI/RMI_Index.html

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799