As the holidays arrive, the Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture is encouraging everyone to join with family and friends to enjoy British Columbia and support a flurry of community activities.

“The holidays are a magical time in communities throughout the province. From festive theatre productions and culinary delights, to local markets and outdoor recreation, there is so much to see and do. It’s the time of year to connect with community and spend time with the people we love,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “Getting out into the community is also a great way to support seasonal tourism operators, who are working hard to provide for their employees and families.”

“There’s nothing better than sharing the gift of experiences with family and friends,” said Marsha Walden, president and CEO of Destination BC. “Whether you’re visiting a local market, fishing, wine touring, skiing or even cycling, share the beauty of the province with people you love this holiday season.”

British Columbia is recognized globally as a top year-round destination. Year-to-date figures show a 3.1% increase in international visitor arrivals over the same time period last year (January to September). That represents more than 4.7 million total overnight international visitors to Canada who arrived in B.C. during the first nine months of this year. The industry projects that there will be more than 101,000 new jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector by 2020 – that’s 10% of all expected job openings in B.C. 

Quick Facts:

• In 2015, the tourism sector:
  • Employed 127,700 British Columbians
  • Paid $4.5 billion in wages and salaries
  • Supported nearly 19,000 tourism-related businesses in B.C.
  • Contributed $7.4 billion toward the Province’s gross domestic product (GDP)

Learn More:

Please visit your local events calendar for a complete list of holiday activities for the whole family.

Destination BC has compiled a list of unforgettable activities and experiences in your region:

Backcountry skiing at Hankin-Evelyn: http://www.hankinmtn.com/   

Snowshoeing in the Ancient Forest: http://www.snowseekers.ca/story/snowshoe-through-ancient-forest

Snowmobiling at Bell Mountain, McBride: http://snoriderswest.com/article/mcbride/find_your_ride_in_mcbride  

Cross-country and alpine skiing at Caledonia Nordic Club: https://www.caledonianordic.com/  

Skating at the Prince George Ice Oval: http://www.pgoval.ca/

Ice fishing for Kokanee: http://blog.hellobc.com/ice-fishing-near-prince-george/  

For current travel deals, please visit: hellobc.com/traveldeals