As British Columbia experiences some of its strongest tourism growth in years, with a record number of international visitors during the first half of the year, Sun Peaks is receiving $300,895 from the Province’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) to support its tourism industry.

Through the Province’s RMI, Sun Peaks has received a total of $1,914,308 since fiscal 2011-12 in funding toward projects including (but not limited to): large music events, an outdoor NHL-sized hockey rink, village entrance signage, a portable stage and recreation infrastructure improvements.

The RMI provides $10.5 million each year to help eligible resort-oriented municipalities develop and enhance tourism infrastructure and amenities. RMI communities include Whistler, Fernie, Kimberley, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rossland, Sun Peaks, Tofino, Ucluelet and Valemount.

Since the RMI’s inception in 2006, more than $108.6 million has been invested in tourism infrastructure and programs to support local and regional tourism economies in the 14 participating communities.

Quotes:

Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson –

“This summer Sun Peaks set a record for July occupancy numbers – a 20 per cent increase over the previous year. Since 2011, funding from the RMI program has assisted Sun Peaks’ successful transition to a major year-round destination. While it remains a great place to visit in the winter, there is now a wide range of activities and events to attract visitors to Sun Peaks all year long.”

Al Raine, mayor of Sun Peaks –

“Sun Peaks has witnessed significant summer tourism growth as a result of the funding received through the RMI program. We received our first funding in 2011 and by last summer, our summer visitor numbers have increased by more than 46% and this summer is even busier than last summer. Without RMI funding, this kind of growth is not possible.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2015, 4.9 million international visitors came to B.C. – a 7.9% increase compared to 2014.
• From January to June this year, 2,307,624 international visitors came to B.C., a 12.4% increase (254,935 additional visitors) over the same period in 2015.
• Tourism provides a job for roughly one out of every 15 people employed in B.C.
• RMI supports the province’s tourism strategy, Gaining the Edge, and the BC Jobs Plan.

Learn More:

A photo is available here: https://flic.kr/p/LYXQcJ

To learn more about the RMI, please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=30A40BDA6D8346798E15C6050063F719

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