Locals and visitors from around the world will have a variety of festivals, contests and shows to choose from in communities around B.C. over the coming year, with support from B.C.’s Tourism Events Program.

“Sports, music and festival fans will be inspired through the many events taking place all across the province during the upcoming year,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “Not only do these events and festivals give people fun things to do close to home, they draw new visitors to B.C. and help support tourism economies in cities and towns all around the province.”

The latest round of the Tourism Events Program is providing nearly $3 million for 45 events taking place throughout the province between October 2019 and September 2020. The program supplements event marketing to encourage more people to travel to B.C. communities and increase awareness of what’s happening in the province.

The events in the Thompson Okanagan region include:

• Skate Canada International — this event, held in Kelowna, is one of six competitions in the annual International Skating Union Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Other events are being held in the United States, France, Russia, China and Japan.  
• AltiTunes — an all-ages one-day music festival located at Big White Ski Resort. The festival will include outdoor activities, games, food, drink and an array of live music at the main stage as well as on the ski hill.

Applications for the Tourism Events Program are accepted twice a year. The current application window is open until Oct. 31, 2019, for events taking place between May 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021.

Interested groups can learn more here: http://ow.ly/zJBZ50wyMR3

Quick Facts:

• In 2018, the Government of British Columbia provided $2.3 million to support 45 events and festivals in B.C. communities through the Tourism Events Program. 
• Tourism is an economic driver for B.C. In 2017, the industry:
  • generated more than $18.4 billion in revenue.
  • contributed $9 billion in added value to the province’s gross domestic product – an increase of 6.7% over the previous year.
• More than 138,000 people work in B.C.’s tourism industry. 
• In 2018, B.C. welcomed 6.1 million international visitors, an increase of 6.4% from 2017.

A backgrounder follows.