While some folks on the Vancouver Coast think of taking in holiday attractions at this time of year, Vancouver based television personality and Four Seasons Hotel, executive chef Ned Bell is focussed on the region’s amazing culinary offerings.

While Vancouver Coast residents enjoy local holiday activities, they are contributing to B.C.’s economy by spending their vacation dollars nearby. By visiting regional events and venues, they’re not only supporting local businesses but also helping to sustain jobs in the tourism sector.

The province’s tourism sector is strong and growing and a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan. The solid growth in the tourism sector can be linked to a number of factors including provincial tourism marketing efforts, lower fuel prices and direct flights to B.C. Compared to the rest of Canada, in 2014, B.C. was number one in absolute visitor volume growth and had the highest growth rate in total international visitation.

To find out why visitors are making B.C. their destination of choice, experience tourism offerings in your backyard. Here are some activities for your Vancouver Coast staycation:

• Lumiere Festival, Vancouver’s West End, Dec. 11-12
• Handel’s Messiah, Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver, The Orpheum, Dec. 12
• 22nd Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival, Vancouver, The Roundhouse, Dec. 21
• Polar Bear Swim, Vancouver, English Bay Beach, Jan. 1
• Big Rigs for Kids Lighted Truck Parade, Downtown Surrey, Dec. 6
• Christmas Farmers Market, Coquitlam, Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, Dec. 12
• Holiday House Tours, Abbotsford, Tretheway Christmas House, through Dec. 18
• Winter Lights at Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden, Sechelt, throughout December
• CP Holiday Train, Lytton, Station Road, Dec. 18
• Spirit of Christmas Forest Walk, Squamish, Sea to Sky Gondola, daily
• Ice skating in Whistler, Olympic Olympic Plaza, opening Dec. 12
• New Year’s Eve Celebrations, Whistler, in the village, Dec. 31
• Polar Bear Swim, Powell River, Willingdon Beach, Jan. 1

British Columbians are urged to spread the news about their fun holiday activities by tweeting about them using #StaycationBC  #ExploreBC or #SnowBetterPlace.

Quotes:

Ned Bell, celebrity chef –

“My sons and I love the diversity of Vancouver’s winter farmers’ markets from which we create festive meals featuring local, sustainable seafood and seasonal produce. My holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a shared family meal around a dim sum cart or the big, bold tastes of a South Asian feast. We are blessed with a wonderful multicultural society and ethnic flavours in Greater Vancouver. Let’s continue to celebrate it, let’s eat!”

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

“Ned Bell is right, the variety and quality of food from winter markets as well as restaurants on the Vancouver Coast is world-class. It’s been an amazing year for tourism in British Columbia. We’ve seen growth in visitor numbers from around the world. However, success also includes British Columbians enjoying a staycation and experiencing the world class tourism offerings in their own province. Whether it’s a local restaurant or market or attraction, I encourage everyone to take in a holiday activity coming up.”

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek —

“Vancouver has everything to satisfy a hungry belly, with choices ranging from farm-fresh outdoor markets to delicious all-you-can-eat sushi. Fall is the perfect time for local families to rediscover the variety, tastes and artistry that our culturally rich culinary scene has to offer.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province invests more than $90 million annually in the tourism sector in every region in the province.
• Tourism builds communities, promotes culture and creates year-round jobs in every region of our province.
• Staycations help boost domestic tourism revenues and local economies and support over 19,000 businesses and 132,000 jobs in the tourism sector in B.C.
• The BC Jobs Plan builds on the strengths of our key sectors and our educated and skilled workforce, keeping our province diverse, strong and growing.

Learn More:

For trip planning ideas in the Vancouver, Coast and Mountain region and around B.C.: www.HelloBC.com

Destination BC: www.DestinationBC.ca

Four Seasons Hotel, Chef Ned Bell: http://www.fourseasons.com/vancouver/dining/chef_bio/

For more info tourism in Vancouver: http://www.tourismvancouver.com/

Whistler tourism info: http://www.whistler.com/whistler-visitor-centre/

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