From snowbombing to surf and strongmen, visitors and residents of B.C. will enjoy festivals in 2019, thanks in part to funding from the Government of British Columbia’s Tourism Events Program.

“The wide variety of B.C. festivals and events mean there is something for everyone,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “By supporting these events, we’re helping organizers draw visitors, increasing local tourism and showcasing the diversity of our beautiful province to visitors and British Columbians alike.”

In 2018, 45 events and festivals in B.C. communities were supported by the program. This year features 15 new winter and spring events, including:

• Snowbombing Canada, which returns to Sun Peaks resort for three days of entertainment and spring skiing.
• Surf Canada National Championships and Canadian Olympic Trials, which will select Canadian athletes for Tokyo 2020, where surfing will make its Olympic debut.
• Women Deliver 2019 Culture Night, will showcase B.C.’s culture and entertainment at the world’s largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of girls and women.
• Cranbrook’s Strongman Classic, a classic strength competition for men and women in its 15th year, and a cornerstone of the community’s Sam Steele Days.

Funding through the Tourism Events Program supports events that raise awareness nationally and internationally of B.C.’s tourism experiences and help inspire people from around the world to visit the province. These events also generate tourism and economic activities in communities throughout British Columbia.

Applications for Tourism Events Program funding are accepted twice yearly. The next application window will open March 1, 2019, for events taking place between Nov. 1, 2019, and Oct. 31, 2020.

Interested parties can review the program criteria and application information online: http://ow.ly/kL1Y309KOWo

Quick Facts:

• The Government of British Columbia provided $2.3 million in Tourism Events Program funding for events that took place in 2018.
• Tourism is an important economic driver for B.C., generating more than $17 billion in revenue in 2016.
• Tourism is the province’s third biggest employer, with more than 133,000 people working in this industry.
• Tourism is growing in importance for B.C.’s economy. In 2016, the industry contributed $7.9 billion in added value to the province’s gross domestic product. This is an increase of over 5.6% over the previous year.
• Between January and October 2018, 5.3 million international visitors came to B.C. — a 7.1% increase (328,497 more visitors) over the same time period in 2017.

A backgrounder follows.