The annual Tourism Week in Canada, May 31 - June 6, 2015, offers British Columbians an opportunity to celebrate the tourism industry and the benefits tourism brings to B.C. and Canada.

During the week, tourism organizations, businesses and other industry partners throughout Canada engage in activities to highlight the economic and social benefits of the tourism industry.

Tourism is an important economic driver and a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan. Since 2003, total tourism revenues have grown over 44%, generating over $13.9 billion dollars in revenue, and contributing $7.3 billion to provincial GDP.

Total international visitor entries, an important indicator in tourism industry growth, show positive increases for the third year in a row, with 4.7 million people visiting B.C. in 2014 - nearly a quarter of a million more people than the year before. B.C. saw increases in key overnight visitor entries in 2014 compared to 2013, including China up over 26%, and the U.S. up over 3%.

These increases help support approximately 19,200 businesses of all sizes, and jobs for over 132,200 people across every region of the province - roughly one out of every 15 workers.

The Province has been working through Destination BC, an industry-led Crown corporation, to market B.C. as a destination to domestic, national and international travellers. B.C.’s tourism marketing supports industry, communities and Aboriginal peoples in developing or enhancing unique and remarkable traveller experiences.

Since its launch in 2013, Destination BC’s successes include the release of its three-year corporate strategy, revitalizing the Super, Natural British Columbia® tourism brand, and implementing innovative marketing approaches, such as the “Wild Within” brand video which received international recognition at the 14th Annual ITB Travel Trade Show in Berlin in March 2015.

Quotes:

Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business -

“Tourism in B.C. is thriving and we look forward to another great summer season. Tourism Week is an opportunity to celebrate B.C.’s successes and recognize the social, cultural and economic benefits the industry brings to our communities, including $13.9 million in revenues and 132,200 jobs.”

“Our government invests over $90 million each year to market and develop this vital sector of our economy. We look forward to continuing to work with our industry partners to grow tourism in B.C. and take full advantage of our tourism potential.”

Marsha Walden, Destination BC CEO -

“British Columbia is a compelling tourism destination offering travellers awe-inspiring nature and world-class experiences. With the global tourism industry expected to double over the next 20 years, the Province is working hard to capture a greater share of this growing market that delivers economic and social benefits to all corners of the province. Destination BC recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit and hard work of industry partners throughout the province that contributes to the ongoing success of B.C.’s tourism industry.”

Jim Humphrey, Tourism Industry Association of BC chair -

"Tourism Week is not only a chance to recognize the importance of the industry to our provincial economy, it is also an opportunity to salute tens of thousands of employers and employees who provide the outstanding products, services and experiences that guests from all over the world have come to know and expect when visiting British Columbia for vacation or business."

Quick Facts:

Tourism’s Economic Contribution

• Tourism is an important economic driver for B.C. In 2013, total revenues for the tourism sector were $13.9 billion dollars.
• In 2013, Tourism GDP grew slightly more than the B.C. economy as a whole.
• Tourism generated a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.3 billion, accounting for 4% of the province’s total GDP - an increase of 2% over last year.

Tourism Jobs

• In 2013, tourism sustained over 132,000 jobs, up 3% over the previous year.
• Tourism wages and salaries were $4.5 billion in 2013, an increase of 3.8% over the year before and up more than 14% since 2003.
• The tourism industry human resource organization go2HR has projected more than 100,000 tourism and hospitality-related job openings throughout the province between 2012 and 2020.
• There are more than 19,200 tourism-related businesses in B.C., and over 17,000 (almost 93%) are small businesses with less than 50 employees.

Learn More:

To view Destination BC’s award-winning video The Wild Within, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNFrZNjs2ng&feature=youtu.be

For information on Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit: http://www.DestinationBC.ca/

For tourism information and to plan your visit in Super, Natural British Columbia®, please visit: http://www.hellobc.com/

Media Contacts:

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