The Government of British Columbia is growing tourism economies by providing $10.5 million this year to 14 resort municipalities throughout the province. Tofino is receiving $496,306 to support local tourism.

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

The District of Tofino has received over $4,565,689 since qualifying for funding in 2008 and will use the most recent instalment for planned activities including special events, trails and paths, beach access and improvements, downtown vitalization and civic centre upgrades.

Tofino has directed its RMI funds to developing a sustainable year-round tourism industry and enhancing visitors experience through interaction with the natural environment. The community has invested in several infrastructure projects to support this goal, including construction of a public washroom and change room at the recently improved North Chesterman Beach access and parking area, construction of a key section of Tofino’s Multi Use Path connecting the south end of Tofino with the downtown core, and construction of the Tuff City Bike Park, which has been a popular stop for visiting families and youth.

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 that 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, to broaden resort activities to help expand the length of the tourist season and increase employment, and to diversify the local tax base. Through local stakeholder consultation, each resort municipality develops a five-year plan that 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 help 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.”

Mayor Josie Osborne, District of Tofino -

“The District of Tofino is very grateful to continue to receive support from the Resort Municipality Initiative. This funding has allowed us to upgrade the Tonquin Trail, create better beach access with change rooms and washrooms, and enhance our downtown core. Without the RMI funding, it would be really difficult for a small community like Tofino to provide these assets for our visitors and local residents.”

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 our ‘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.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

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
250 387-2799