British Columbia is once again hosting a high-profile, international event, the PGA TOUR Champions, Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship, thanks in part to a $90,000 investment from the Province’s Tourism Events Program.

Currently being held from Sept. 19-25, 2016, at The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort and Spa in Langford, the tournament is being broadcast internationally on the Golf Channel to more than 190 countries, for a potential reach of 330 million viewers world-wide, including 80 million U.S. viewers, which will showcase British Columbia as a go-to destination for golf tourism.

The week-long tournament is an official PGA TOUR Champions event featuring about 80 of the world’s premier golfers aged 50 years and older competing for a US$2.5-million prize. The event is projected to have over 20,000 spectators on site throughout the week to watch the excitement and take part in the festivities. 

Tourism supports approximately 19,000 businesses and 127,500 employees in British Columbia and is a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan. Funding from the Tourism Events Program is designed to support the delivery of world-class events that can both increase the number of visitors to British Columbia, and increase global recognition for the province.

Quotes:

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

“This event is a great opportunity to showcase British Columbia as a world-class sporting event and tourist destination. Events like the Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship help drive the economy in B.C. by attracting visitors to the tournament, and inspiring future visitors to B.C. when they view the tournament on the Golf Channel. Tourism is a critical sector in a diverse and growing economy and events like this are part of the reason for the outstanding results we have had in the last several years.”

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“I am thrilled to be able to showcase our world-class amenities through hosting major international sporting events like the Pacific Links Championship. Hosting the PGA TOUR Champions event at Bear Mountain Resort will attract more recognition to our province and bring positive economic benefits to the host region.”

Charles Lorimer, chief operating officer, Pacific Links International –

“Pacific Links is delighted with the support of Destination BC and the Province of B.C. and is grateful for their generous partnership. Together, we look forward to delivering the Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship to beautiful British Columbia.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province invests more than $98 million annually in the tourism industry across every region to grow and market the sector.
• In 2014, the tourism industry generated $14.6 billion in revenue with a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.1 billion.
• In 2015, 4.9 million international visitors came to B.C. – an 8% increase compared to 2014.
• In the first six months of 2016, a record 2.3 million international visitors came to B.C. – a 12.4% increase (254,935 additional visitors) over January to June last year.

Learn More:

For more information on the 2016 Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship: http://www.pacificlinkschampionship.com/

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

To learn more about the Tourism Events Program: http://www.destinationbc.ca/BC-Tourism-Industry/Municipal-and-Regional-District-Tax-Program/Tourism-Events-Program.aspx