Approximately 800 taekwondo athletes from more than 100 countries will be showcasing their best kicks, spins and jumps at the 2016 World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) junior championships.

Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services, and Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee announced that the world junior taekwondo championships is being funded through $95,000 from the Province, on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.

The Ministry of Jobs Tourism and Skills Training is providing $75,000  toward the marketing of the event via the Tourism Events Program and the Ministry of Community Sport and Cultural Development is contributing $20,000 through a Hosting BC grant.

The World Taekwondo Junior Championships are being held from Nov. 16-20, 2016, in Burnaby. The top-ranked event in the World Taekwondo Federation’s yearly schedule is attracting male and female athletes aged 14-17.

The World Taekwondo Junior Championships is one of the largest events of its kind to be held in Burnaby. The city beat out Mexico and Turkey to play host. With tens of millions of registered taekwondo participants from around the world, the championships will help raise the city’s global profile. The event is expected to attract international visitors and tourism dollars to Burnaby’s economy.

The event is one highlight in a growing tourism sector that supports approximately 19,000 businesses and 127,500 employees in B.C

Quotes:

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North –

“Burnaby is a natural fit for a world-class event such as the 2016 WTF World Taekwondo Junior Championships. It’s putting our city in the global spotlight and will really help to showcase what we have to offer and to encourage other large-scale sporting events to come here. I am very pleased about the economic benefits it will bring to Burnaby and the Lower Mainland.”

Paul McDonell, chair, 2016 WTF World Taekwondo Federation –

“Burnaby is thrilled to welcome participants from across the globe for this celebration of athletic accomplishment, sportsmanship and international comradery. We are honoured the World Taekwondo Federation entrusted us with the responsibility to not only host, but enhance this event. Our community will benefit from this event’s significant sport, social and economic benefits for many years to come.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province invests more than $98 million annually in the tourism industry throughout 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 eight months of 2016, 3,990,574 international visitors came to B.C., an 11.5% increase over January to August last year.

Learn More:

For more information on the 2016 WTF World Taekwondo Junior Championships: http://burnabyjuniorchampionships.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

See more about the Government of British Columbia’s role in supporting sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd