Salmon Arm has been very busy with many events so far this year.
For example, this past weekend the Selkirk Express 2016 Pacific Northwest Region Model Railroad Association hosted a public model train show and convention for visitors from several northwestern states and western provinces. These special events give a significant tourism boost to our local economy.
Many of you may not have seen the recent press release by Tourism BC that is both important and informative, so I would like to highlight the key points from that press release below:
• Tourism is a key economic driver in B.C.
• Tourism is a growing industry – there has been an increase in visitors, in the number of businesses and in the number of people employed in tourism
• Tourism has the ability to connect different parts of a community.
• Tourism and economic development go hand in hand. Tourism depends upon and grows the same essential ingredients that make our communities desirable.
Tourism talks the same talk as the economic development’s efforts to attract investment, stimulate jobs, drawing new residents and showcasing our region to others.
Statistics provided by Tourism Industry of BC include:
• Tourism in BC contributed $7.1 billion in GDP to the provincial economy in 2014.
• In 2014, tourism contributes more GDP than forestry, agriculture, and fish primary resource industries.
• 27,500 people were employed in B.C. tourism related businesses. B.C. is home to 19,000 tourism businesses.
A quote from, Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour states “British Columbia is experiencing incredible growth in tourism. We saw a 7.9 per cent increase in international tourists as 4.9 million international visitors came to our province in 2015. With a strong U.S. dollar, many British Columbians are also opting to experience B.C.’s world-class tourism through a staycation and exploring B.C.
It is indeed a time to celebrate Tourism Week in Canada and such an important industry that’s helping B.C. be an economic leader in Canada.”
During Tourism Week in the Shuswap -Salmon Arm area, I joined Shuswap Tourism in talking to locals about tourism, welcoming visitors, and also, very importantly, thanking tourism related businesses. At our Visitors Center, Shuswap Tourism has many comprehensive free booklets to help you and your visitors plan for your next outing in the Shuswap.
Helping visitors to enjoy themselves in the Shuswap will help boost tourism, which is extremely important to our local economy.
Please join with me in welcome all our visitors and making their stay and time exploring the Shuswap the very best it can be!