Osoyoos will be getting a slice of the over $10 million of funding through the province’s Resort Municipality Initiative.
The government of B.C. is providing over $10 million to 14 resort-orientated municipalities throughout the province to support and promote local tourism. Whistler will see the biggest part of the pie with just over $6.3 million heading their direction, followed by Golden and Revelstoke who will receive just over 500,000. The communities are to use the funding to enhance services and infrastructure crucial to growing the tourism sector that drives their local economies, including trail and boardwalk improvements, venue development and tourist information services.
In 2010, the tourism sector employed 127,000 British Columbians, generating over $13.4 billion in revenue for tourism-related businesses and contributed over $1.2 billion to provincial government revenues.
“Our government recognizes how important a role resort municipalities play in the economic prosperity of our province,” said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skill Training Pat Bell. “This initiative provides local governments with the financial certainty to facilitate a great visitor experience and ensure visitors will return.”
The other municipalities receiving funds include Fernie, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley, Radium Hot Springs, Rossland, Sun Peaks, Tofino, Ucluelet and Valemont.
