It’s time to enjoy what travellers from around the world came to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast for this summer: B.C.’s incredible tourism experiences. Fall for B.C. by enjoying the full range of fun fall staycation activities right in your backyard.

Staycations give British Columbians a chance to enjoy the province’s world-class travel experiences first-hand. Staycations are also a good way to keep your vacation dollars circulating in B.C.’s economy. By visiting regional events and venues, you’re not only supporting local businesses, you're also helping sustain important jobs in the tourism sector.

B.C.’s tourism sector is strong and growing and a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan. As an economic driver in the province, it employs 132,000 British Columbians, almost one in every 15 jobs in B.C. in 2013. The sector also has more than 19,200 tourism-related businesses and paid out $4.5 billion in wages and salaries to tourism workers in 2013 – an increase of 3.8% over the year before.

More and more people are coming to our province. In 2014, 4.65 million international travellers came to B.C. That is a 5.3% increase, and nearly a quarter million more visitors than we welcomed in 2013. As well, so far in 2015 year-to-date visitors are up 8.8% over the same period last year.

Here are some activities for your Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Fall for B.C. staycation:

• Top fall drive: Gold Rush Trail tour. Amazing fall colours!
• Enjoy a stroll and autumn scenery as you drive out to Cedar Point provincial park, on Quesnel Lake in Likely.
• Take Pride in BC Parks and enjoy Cariboo Mountains Provincial Park. There’s no charge as parking is free in all provincial parks.
• Catch the last Quesnel Farmer’s Market of the season, Oct. 10.
• Visit Bella Coola and take a Nuxalk guided hike to the petroglyphs at Thorsen Creek. Follow the guide along the magical forested route and immerse yourself in this ancient culture.
• Bella Coola is the gateway the beautiful Great Bear Rainforest with its endless hiking and fishing opportunities.
• Take a ghostly Halloween fun tour, Oct. 31, in historic Barkerville.
• Enjoy the Annual Thanksgiving Poker Ride, Oct. 11, Quesnel.
• Paddle in a canoe at Bowron Lake Provincial Park near Wells.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour – "It's fall, the summer crowds have gone and it's a great time to enjoy a staycation. It is an opportunity to fall for B.C. and enjoy our amazing province. I encourage British Columbians to staycation and visit one of the six diverse regions that make B.C. stand out as a world class tourism destination."

Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North – “From the farmers’ market in Quesnel, to a Halloween tour in Barkerville, to canoeing at Bowron Lake Provincial Park, there’s numerous local attractions and activities to enjoy right here at home. This fall, take advantage of all that our backyard has to offer.”

Learn More at:

• For more info on Cariboo Chilcotin tourism: http://www.hellobc.com/cariboo-chilcotin-coast.aspx