You know you’re on a tourism to-do list when the Royals make sure to stop in your backyard while on tour, and your newly minted Great Bear Rainforest receives official protection by the Queen.

The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast is wrapping up a remarkable year for tourism, with a range of fun holiday activities coming up. 

Here are some holiday options to enjoy as 2016 comes to a close:

• Ladies Night at the Lodge (Christmas shopping), Quesnel, Dec. 2: http://quesnelchamber.com/event/ladies-night-at-the-lodge/
• Santa Parade, Williams Lake, Dec. 3: http://ow.ly/LgHS306sVqb
• 100 Mile House and Area Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 3: http://southcaribootourism.ca/announcements/100-mile-house-and-area-breakfast-with-santa
• Old-Fashioned Victorian Christmas, Barkerville, Dec. 10-12: http://www.barkerville.ca/victorianchristmas/
• Backcountry skiing near Bella Coola: http://www.hellobc.com/bella-coola/things-to-do/winter-activities/backcountry-skiing.aspx
• Christmas @ 3 Bar Farms, Merritt, Dec. 3: http://www.tourismmerritt.com/events/festivals-fairs/christmas-3-bar-farms

This year is shaping up to be one of the busiest years for tourism in British Columbia. Year-to-date figures show an 11.9% increase in international visitors over the same time period last year (January to September). That represents more than four million total overnight international visitors (4,564,070) that came to B.C. during the first nine months of this year.

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, is encouraging British Columbians to make this year an even more memorable one for the province’s tourism industry by supporting local holiday activities through a staycation.

Staycations are a good way to #exploreBC and keep your vacation dollars circulating in B.C.’s economy. By visiting regional events and venues, you’re not only supporting local businesses, you're also helping sustain important jobs in the tourism sector.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, MLA, Cariboo North –

“Barkerville’s Old-Fashioned Victorian Christmas is one of the premier holiday attractions in British Columbia and it’s in our own backyard, the Cariboo North. Be sure to support it and other holiday events and businesses during a wintery staycation at this time of year.”

Donna Barnett, MLA, Cariboo-Chilcotin –

“The Cariboo Chilcotin offers no shortage of holiday activities. Breakfast with Santa and back-country skiing are just the start of a full range of Explore BC options for locals and visitors to enjoy. Get to know what our beautiful part of B.C. offers over the holidays!”

Jackie Tegart, MLA, Fraser-Nicola –

“What an amazing year for tourism in B.C. Make the most of what the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast has in store this holiday season. Be sure to Explore BC. Take in a festive event near you and make it a memorable Christmas in 2016!”

Marsha Walden, CEO, Destination British Columbia –

“The holiday buzz is officially here! People from around the world are choosing to visit destinations across B.C. and participating in celebrations that speak to them at a personal level. With no shortage of events, this is a great opportunity for travellers to authentically experience what life is like in our communities. Regardless of budget, there’s something happening somewhere that will help make this an unforgettable holiday season.”

Quick Facts:

• British Columbians are encouraged to tag their favourite winter staycation activities using the hashtags on social media #StaycationBC and #exploreBC.
• The tourism industry is helping fuel the provincial economy, which is expected to lead the country in economic growth in 2016 and 2017.
• Tourism supports nearly 19,000 businesses and 127,500 employees in B.C. and is a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan.
• The Province supports the sector with a $98 million annual investment across every region of B.C.
• In 2015, 4.9 million international visitors came to B.C. – about an 8% increase compared to 2014.

Learn More:

For more info about Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism: http://www.hellobc.com/cariboo-chilcotin-coast.aspx

To view Destination BC’s The Wild Within brand anthem video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNFrZNjs2ng

To discover more festivals and events in B.C., visit: http://www.explorebc.ca/