The Province is investing $65,000 by supporting the annual BC Bike Race which will welcome 600 participants from 36 countries to coastal British Columbia for the annual seven-day mountain bike race tour.

MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Jordan Sturdy made the announcement on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.

The BC Bike Race will run from July 5-13, 2017, and helps to bring attention and international visitors to some of B.C.’s smaller communities – such as Cumberland, Powell River and Sechelt. The BC Bike Race also showcases the trails and networks of trail builders along its route.

The Tourism Events Program 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. Mountain biking is growing in popularity as a reason to travel and helps generate economic activity in communities and regions throughout the province.

A picture from the announcement can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/p/SHCwez

Quote:

Jordan Sturdy, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky –

“Bringing the world to B.C. with this epic mountain bike race tour is a great way for the global community to Explore B.C. I’m pleased our government is investing in events that will bring more international visitors to the province, including over 600 participants, and generating millions in revenue in communities on Vancouver Island and the South West Coast mainland B.C. over the week-long event.”

Quick Facts:

• The Province invests more than $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. - about a 12% increase compared to 2015.
• In 2015, the tourism industry generated $15.7 billion in revenue with a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.4 billion.
• According to the Sports Tourism Economic Assessment Model, the BC Bike Race recently generated $3.4 million of economic activity in B.C. with $2.3 million in the host communities of the tour.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/economy/tourism/

For more information about the BC Bike Race: http://www.bcbikerace.com

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