South Cariboo Tourism Forum 2024

Joint Release from the Cariboo Regional District, District of 100 Mile House:

The District of 100 Mile House in partnership with the Cariboo Regional District and the South Cariboo Visitor Centre are pleased to announce that registration for the 2024 South Cariboo Tourism Forum is now open. Speakers are confirmed and the day’s itinerary is set.

The Community Tourism Plan was completed earlier this year to provide a strategic path forward to guide future investment in tourism initiatives and to support the long-term growth of tourism in the South Cariboo.  One of the recommendations in the plan was to host a Tourism Forum to give tourism businesses an opportunity to come together to network and generally provide support for the local tourism sector. 

The South Cariboo Tourism Forum will take place Nov. 5th, 2024 at the Community Hall located at 265 Birch Ave in 100 Mile House.  It will be a full day conference style event.  Breakfast and lunch are provided and there is no registration fee. All tourism operators should plan to attend, including resorts, hotels/motels, campgrounds, restaurants, tour operators, guides, and any clubs and businesses that cater to tourists.  Options include attending for the whole day or just part of the day.

The Tourism Forum will provide an opportunity for new and established tourism businesses to meet and network, and also to hear from industry representatives about how they can help tourism businesses succeed. The morning session will include an overview of the Community Tourism Plan, then a session on Who’s Who in Tourism.  Hear from nearly a dozen organizations who support tourism and what they have to offer businesses.  After lunch, there will be focused presentations and discussions on topics that will be of interest to tourism businesses, followed by a facilitated discussion about how to work together to advance the local tourism industry.  

Please join us for a full day devoted to tourism! To register, please visit: https://www.discoversouthcariboo.ca/tourism-forum

The Community Tourism Plan can be found on the District of 100 Mile House website at https://www.100milehouse.com/investing-here/economic-development-plans.

Tourism grants fund almost 100 B.C. events

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- 2 Groups in Quesnel (Quesnel Rodeo Club and the Quesnel Children’s Festival Multicultural Performances) will receive $10,000 each

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Province has provided funding to approximately 100 organizations through its Tourism Events Program (TEP) to build B.C.’s reputation as an events destination and increase visitation.

“B.C.’s many sports competitions, arts festivals and events are vital to our tourism sector and a thriving economy,” said the Hon. Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “This program allows organizers to raise awareness about their amazing events and inspires British Columbians and people from around the world to attend.”

In April 2022, the Province announced $4.8 million for TEP, marking its return after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19  pandemic. TEP supports a wide range of tourism experiences, including arts, cultural or internationally recognized sporting competitions, bolstering awareness of events, attracting additional overnight visitors and increasing tourism benefits to communities.

Since 2016, the Province provided more than $18 million in TEP funding, which supported 317 events.

During the pandemic, the Province provided COVID-19 relief funding through the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events program, which provided nearly $30 million in support of 680 events throughout B.C. 

TEP awards grant a maximum of $250,000 and are used for eligible activities that amplify the event’s provincial, national and international marketing reach.

“We are elated to welcome visitors from around the world at next year’s Okanagan Indigenous Music and Arts Festival,” said Jennifer Money, President, Okanagan Indigenous Music and Arts Society. “Our festival showcases and honours Indigenous musicians, artists and Knowledge-carriers, and revitalizes Indigenous culture in an immersive and inclusive environment. The support of TEP has elevated our ability to share our message and invitation to celebration with an international audience.”

The tourism sector stimulated job creation and generated $8.6 billion in provincial revenue in 2019, and $2.9 billion in 2020, despite the pandemic.

Quick Facts:

• Through investment in the marketing and growth of events, TEP supports the tourism priorities of three important pillars: people, planet and prosperity, as outlined in the provincial Strategic Framework for Tourism 2022-24.
• TEP funding supports events between October 2022 and September 2023.
• Funds must be used to broaden the marketing reach of an event by providing supplemental marketing activities that go beyond what has been planned and budgeted by event organizers.
• TEP does not provide core event funding and cannot be used to guarantee the financial viability of an event.

Learn More:

For a backgrounder listing Tourism Events Program 2022-23 recipients and funding, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BG_TEP_Recipients_Nov_2022.pdf

For information about the Tourism Events Program, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/tourism-resources/tourism-funding-programs/tourism-events-program

Learn about the Strategic Framework for Tourism 2022-24:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/tourism-resources/tourism-framework