Heritage Tourism Initiative Gets Boost From Province

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007TSA0013-000168
Feb. 22, 2007

Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts

VICTORIA – The provincial government is providing $50,000 to the BC Museums Association to implement a provincial history- and heritage-related tourism marketing plan, Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen announced today.

“As BC2008 celebrations approach, there is no better time to showcase B.C.’s heritage and culture, and I know many visitors are interested in finding out more about our province’s rich history,” said Hagen. “This plan will help raise awareness of the many heritage experiences that are available to them.”

Hagen made the announcement at the Council of Tourism Association’s Tourism Industry Conference, which also coincides with Heritage Week this year.The BC Museums Association (BCMA) is part of a consortium of non-profit, private sector and government interests that has been working with Tourism BC on this project.

“It is a prime opportunity for our sector to collaborate on this effort, which will engage more visitors by sharing B.C.’s rich heritage and in turn, make their vacation experience even more memorable,” said Jim Harding, executive director of the BC Museums Association.

Cultural tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors within the tourism industry. The World Tourism Organization projects that cultural tourism will expand at an annual rate of 15 per cent globally through 2010. Studies also show that 7 million visitors currently visit B.C. heritage institutions each year.

The Heritage Branch at the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts is committed to conserving B.C.’s heritage resources, as well as supporting other heritage initiatives such as sustainable community heritage planning; tourism and education that promotes heritage; and fostering a Canada-wide culture that values heritage through the national Historic Places Initiative.

Tourism BC is helping the history and heritage sector better define itself as a key part of B.C.’s tourism industry through its Experiences BC program.

Next year, B.C. will celebrate BC2008, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858. Every community in B.C. is invited to participate in this year-long celebration of B.C.’s cultural diversity, community strength and widespread achievement. For more information, please visit www.BC2008.gov.bc.ca.

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Media contact:

Don McDonald
Communications Director
250 356-9869