TOFINO – The tourism sector on Vancouver Island’s West Coast is slated to get an economic shot in the art, courtesy of the provincial government’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI). It was announced August 24 that Tofino will be receiving a total of $636,935 to support local tourism infrastructure and amenities, while Ucluelet will be receiving just under $180,000.
“The Resort Municipality Initiative is designed to help improve and strengthen the economies of resort communities around the province. We know that the tourism sector helps drive our diverse economy and is a significant job creator. We want to ensure that when visitors choose to enjoy one of these resort municipalities they have a memorable experience and that it motivates them to continue to make British Columbia their year round destination of choice,” explained Tourism Minister Shirley Bond.
The funding initiative was created to help enhance and expand the tourism sector in eligible municipalities across the province. This year, the B.C. government is providing a total of $10.5 million to 14 eligible communities and is extending the RMI program for another year to the end of 2017. In addition to Tofino and Ucluelet the mainland communities of Fernie, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rossland, Sun Peaks, Valemount and Whistler will also be receiving a share of the funding.
“Through the Resort Municipality Initiative program, the Province is investing in Tofino’s tourism economy by enabling us to undertake infrastructure development and programming that we could not otherwise afford. The return on this investment to Tofino is huge, from enhanced visitor experience and increased local spending to more jobs and an extension of the tourism season. In turn, local government and the business community are able to re-invest tourism-generated funds into more economic development,” explained Tofino’s Mayor Josie Osborne.
In all more than $98.1 million in RMI funding has been invested since 2006 to support tourism infrastructure and programs, helping to grow these local and regional economies. Tofino has been participating in the RMI program since 2008. It is prioritizing its RMI funding on projects that enhance the visitors’ experience and broaden available activities including investments in special events such as the Tofino Film Festival, improvements to trails, paths and beach access, downtown revitalization and civic centre upgrades.
The B.C. tourism industry created 132,200 jobs and generated $13.9 billion in revenues in 2013. RMI supports the BC Jobs Plan and Gaining the Edge: B.C.’s Tourism Strategy by helping resort-based municipalities address the unique challenges they face as seasonally dependent economies. In addition to RMI funding, the Province invests more than $90 million annually in the tourism sector throughout B.C.
Quick Facts:
- Tofino is receiving $636,935 for FY 2015/16 and has received a total of $5,202,624 since 2008.
- More than $98.1 million in RMI funding has been invested since 2006 to support tourism infrastructure and programs, helping to grow these communities’ local and regional economies.
- In 2014, 4.7 million international visitors came to B.C. – a 5.3% increase and nearly a quarter of a million more people than the previous year.
- In 2013, tourism provided a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.3 billion, accounting for 4% of the province’s total GDP.
- In 2013, the tourism sector employed 132,200 British Columbians – that is about one in every 15 jobs in B.C.
