The Province is helping to lighten up the winter blues by supporting the second annual JFL NorthWest, Vancouver’s Comedy Festival, running Feb. 16-25.
The event is being supported by a Provincial investment of $50,000 through the Tourism Events Program, which was announced last night by Vancouver-False Creek MLA Sam Sullivan on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.
In 2016, NorthWest Comedy Fest and Just for Laughs joined forces to present JFL NorthWest featuring a blend of standup, improv and sketch. This year’s festival is taking place at multiple venues around Vancouver, attracting world-class comedians and highlighting the best in local talent.
The Tourism Events Program, established in September 2015, supports events that raise awareness nationally and internationally of British Columbia’s tourism experiences and motivate Canadians and people from other countries to travel and experience British Columbia’s natural beauty.
JFL NorthWest events are a part of a growing tourism sector that supports nearly 19,000 businesses and 127,700 employees in B.C.
Quotes:
Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek –
“A world-class city such as Vancouver deserves world-class events such as the JFL NorthWest comedy festival. It’s attracting comedic talent and visitors from near and far. This is the second annual event, and it’s already growing. I look forward to seeing the increasing benefits it brings to our tourism sector and the local economy.”
Heather Wallace, festival director, JFL NorthWest —
“With generous support from the Province's Tourism Events Program, we are able to focus on what we do best, bringing world-class comedy to Vancouver. Canadians are known for our appreciation of comedy and JFL NorthWest shines the spotlight on that reputation, attracting top comics to Vancouver. We’re proud to present a festival that not only gets people laughing, but benefits local business, draws in tourism, and gets residents out enjoying the city.”
Quick Facts:
- The Province invests over $98 million annually in the tourism industry across every region to grow and market the sector.
- In 2016, 5.5 million international visitors came to B.C. – a 12.3% increase (605,198 more visitors) compared to 2015.
- In 2015, the tourism industry generated $15.7 billion in revenues with a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.4 billion.
Learn More:
BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/economy/tourism/
For more information on JFL NorthWest, Vancouver’s Comedy Festival, please visit: www.jflnorthwest.com/
To learn more about the Tourism Events Program:
www.destinationbc.ca/BC-Tourism-Industry/Municipal-and-Regional-District-Tax-Program/Tourism-Events-Program.aspx