Fifty-nine B.C. community destination marketing organizations (DMOs) severely impacted by travel restrictions will be supported with a $10-million grant from the Province.
B.C.’s community DMOs are not-for-profit organizations that promote tourism to their regions.
They rely on funds generated by the municipal and regional district tax (MRDT), which is charged to visitors by hotels and other types of accommodation.
“The tourism industry is a major economic engine and job creator for people in B.C., but the impacts of COVID 19 have left the industry struggling,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
“We are supporting the tourism industry today to make sure we can welcome visitors to explore Super, Natural British Columbia when it is safe to do so.”
Community DMOs play a large role connecting visitors to B.C.’s communities, representing both large metropolitan centres and towns of a few hundred residents.
“As we look onwards to reopening and restarting the visitor economy, community DMOs are well placed to create effective marketing and development campaigns that will drive visitors to their communities across our beautiful province,” said Nancy Small, chair, BC Destination Marketing Organization Association.
“This welcomed funding will give many of us that ability to remain operating and plan for the future. It is excellent news.”
This funding will help MRDT-supported community DMOs retain crucial staff positions and offset fixed expenses from May to October 2020.