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, Harrison Hot Springs is receiving $301,393 from the Province’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) to support its tourism industry.

Through the Province’s RMI, Harrison Hot Springs has received a total of $3,132,498 in funding, since 2007, toward projects including (but not limited to):

• a pedestrian-friendly esplanade revitalization,
• beach and lagoon improvements,
• streetscape improvements, and
• a range of events including the sand-sculpting competition, car shows and dragon boating.

The RMI provides $10.5 million each year to help eligible resort-oriented municipalities to develop and enhance tourism their 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:

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope –

“RMI funding plays an important role in encouraging the development and growth of our local tourism economies. I look forward to seeing Harrison Hot Springs continue to benefit from this investment and to gain in popularity as a tourist destination.”

Mayor Leo Facio, Village of Harrison Hot Springs –

“The Village of Harrison Hot Springs has been extremely fortunate to be a member of the Resort Municipality Initiative and has benefitted immensely from the funding it has received through the program. On behalf of council, I am truly delighted that the ministry has announced further funding for the continuation of these benefits through the RMI program. Receiving additional funding for 2017 will enable the village to continue with its overall plan to improve the tourism industry and experiences for visitors and local residents. For this, we are extremely grateful.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2015, 4.9 million international visitors came to B.C. – about an 8% 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/MncwWH

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/