Visitor Centers' can help plan your next vacation

B.C.’s community Visitor Centres aren’t just for visitors. They’re also a source of inspiration on ways to entertain visiting relatives and friends.

Williams Lake Visitor Centre staff can provide detailed advice on driving the Coast Cariboo Circle Route, which passes through Williams Lake and takes travellers on a seven- to 10-day scenic adventure to coastal villages, the Gold Rush Trail and the communities of Pemberton, Victoria, Parksville, Port Hardy and Bella Coola. It’s one of nine circle routes featured in the Province’s updated Circle Routes Scenic Driving Guide.

Other attractions around Williams Lake include the Cowboy Hall of Fame housed in the Williams Lake Museum and the award winning Xat'sull Heritage Village featuring ancient Aboriginal history and culture, just north of the city on Highway 97.

Visitor Centre staff can also assist with provincewide trip planning. Each location is stocked with a variety of Tourism BC’s publications including the Circle Routes Scenic Driving Guide, the Outdoor Adventure Guide and the BC Vacation Planner.

Identified by their distinctive blue-and-yellow “i” logo, and located on driving routes throughout the province, B.C.’s 109 community Visitor Centres provide a wide range of trip-planning services, including visitor guides, activity suggestions, travel tips and accommodation reservations.

Why It Matters:

More than ever British Columbians are choosing to stay close to home, taking vacations right here in B.C.

In 2009, residents were the single largest group of travellers in the province, representing roughly 52 per cent of all travellers.

Quotes:

Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin –

“When we see a visitor centre in our community we may assume it is just for tourists, but if we stop and have a closer look, we might just find something out about our area of the province we weren't aware of. I encourage tourists and B.C. residents to check out their local visitor centre. You never know what you might find.”

Hon. Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Innovation –

“In 2010, visitor centre staff around the province served more than three million people, promoting local, regional and provincial tourism experiences to B.C. residents and visitors alike. These front-line staff provide an invaluable service by welcoming and guiding travellers, and promoting Super, Natural British Columbia. Our visitor centre network is one more example of how we support a strong, sustainable tourism industry, which means jobs for British Columbians, and that’s good for B.C. families.”

Claudia Blair, executive director, Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce –

“The Williams Lake Visitor Centre, in the heart of the Cariboo and gateway to the Chilcotin and Bella Coola Valley, offers priceless information for every type of visitor. Energetic types are urged to check out our world-famous network of over 50 mountain biking trails that offer breathtaking scenery and terrain that caters to a range of skill levels.”

Learn More:

The Williams Lake Visitor and Tourism Discovery Centre is a one-of-a-kind, nearly 560-square-metre (6,000-square-foot) log building with video and interactive displays. The centre is located at 1660 South Broadway adjacent to Highway 97.

Community Visitor Centres in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region area are also located in 100 Mile House, Lillooet, Quesnel, and Wells.

For more information about British Columbia’s Visitor Centres please visit:

http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/AboutBC/VisitorCentres/BritishColumbia.htm

For information about B.C.’s scenic driving routes please visit:

http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/CircleRoutes/British-Columbia.htm