Whistler will receive $6,786,146 for projects that help support tourism infrastructure and amenities, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Jordan Sturdy announced today.

The funding comes from the government’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI), which helps to grow the tourism sector in eligible municipalities. This year, the B.C. government is providing a total of $10.5 million to 14 eligible communities and is extending the RMI program for another year to the end of 2017.

Municipalities eligible for RMI funding are Fernie, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rossland, Sun Peaks, Tofino, Ucluelet, Valemount and Whistler.

More than $98.1 million in RMI funding has been invested since 2006 to support tourism infrastructure and programs, helping to grow these local and regional economies.

Whistler has been participating in the RMI program since 2006. It has been prioritizing its funding to expand its recreational experiences beyond the mountain sports that it is famous for. Summer tourism continues to grow as Whistler hosts large sporting events such as Tough Mudder, Whistler Gran Fondo and IRONMAN Canada.

Tourism is one of the sectors identified in the BC Jobs Plan which continues to build on the strengths of eight of the province’s most-competitive sectors, utilizing B.C.’s educated and skilled workforce, keeping the economy diverse, strong and growing.

The B.C. tourism industry created 132,200 jobs and generated $13.9 billion in revenues in 2013. RMI supports the BC Jobs Plan and Gaining the Edge: B.C.’s Tourism Strategy by helping resort-based municipalities address the unique challenges they face as seasonally dependent economies. In addition to RMI funding, the Province invests more than $90 million annually in the tourism sector throughout B.C.

Quotes:

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky –

“Whistler is Canada’s premier winter resort and a four-season destination for outdoor enthusiasts, convention goers and for those who wish to experience first class hospitality. This nearly $6.8 million will help Whistler continue to responsibly develop initiatives that will boost tourism, enhance the visitor experience and enhance its position as an outstanding global destination.”

Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, mayor of Whistler –

“Through provincial RMI contributions the Resort Municipality of Whistler has successfully invested in a variety of projects and a wide range of programs to grow tourism and achieve record visitation. RMI funding promotes Whistler’s goals of delivering a positive economic impact to the resort and to the province, and directly supports Whistler’s provincial GDP contribution of $1.3 billion annually and visitation to the resort community by over 2.7 million people per year."

Quick Facts:

• Whistler is receiving $6,786,146 for FY 2015-16 and has received a total of $67,608,206 since 2006.
• More than $98.1 million in RMI funding has been invested since 2006 to support tourism infrastructure and programs, helping to grow these communities’ local and regional economies.
• In 2014, 4.7 million international visitors came to B.C. – a 5.3% increase and nearly a quarter of a million more people than the previous year.
• In 2013, tourism provided a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.3 billion, accounting for 4% of the province’s total GDP.
• In 2013, the tourism sector employed 132,200 British Columbians – that is about one in every 15 jobs in B.C.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/

To learn more about the Resort Municipality Initiative, visit: http://ow.ly/R0k5j