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, Osoyoos is receiving $390,335 from the Province’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) to support its tourism industry.

Through the Province’s RMI, Osoyoos has received a total of $3,049,526 since 2008 in funding toward projects including (but not limited to): a trail system, signage, special events, beach cleaning, public art, boat parking, Gyro Park waterfront improvements and a marina facility enhancement.

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

Linda Larson, MLA for Boundary - Similkameen –

“Funding through the RMI allows B.C. to ensure we show off our most beautiful destinations to their best advantage. The development and enhancement of infrastructure in Osoyoos will attract more visitors to this exceptional area, to the benefit of local businesses and the economy as a whole.”

Sue McKortoff, mayor, Town of Osoyoos –

“Thanks to the RMI funds, the Town of Osoyoos has been able to develop world-class tourism facilities and services that enhance the visitor experience and assist the Province of B.C. in achieving its tourism and economic development goals. Ongoing funding has enabled our municipality to develop a new marina, redevelop our Gyro Park, enhance our hiking trail network, purchase a beach cleaner and provide secure boat trailer storage for our visitors. Our community volunteers are thrilled to be able to deliver all our festivals and community events in these wonderful modern facilities. We look forward to developing more facilities that enrich our community and express ‘Canada’s Warmest Welcome.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2015, 4.9 million international visitors came to British Columbia – 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:

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/