Media Contacts

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture

Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-4309

Backgrounders

Facts about tourism and emergency preparedness
  • The British Columbia government supports municipalities by investing more than $145 million annually in the tourism sector.
  • B.C. is a top destination for visitors from around the globe:
    • In 2018, more than six million visitors came to B.C.
    • In 2018, the tourism sector generated approximately $18.4 billion in revenue and employed more than 137,000 people.
  • Over the most recent two years, the Province has invested $2.7 million to help attract tourists back to areas affected by wildfires.
  • To support community resiliency in the face of wildfires, floods and other emergencies, the B.C. government gave a $31-million boost to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) for local governments and First Nations, bringing the total to $69.5 million.
  • The Province is also supporting volunteer and composite fire departments throughout B.C. with a $5-million boost for equipment and training through the Province’s CEPF.
  • In addition, the B.C. government provided $10 million in provincial funding to support communities in their recovery from the 2018 wildfire season.