Money to come from RMI, 14 resort-oriented municipalities to benefit
Funding for the resort-oriented municipalities is coming from the Resort Municipality Initiative. Photo courtesy visitvalemount.ca
The provincial government has announced an investment of over $10 million in 14 resort-oriented municipalities in B.C. in an attempt to encourage tourism and boost local economies.
B.C. is providing the money under its Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) that focuses on places whose economies depend greatly on tourism.
“Our government recognizes how important a role resort municipalities play in the economic prosperity of our province,” said labour minister Pat Bell. ”This initiative provides local governments with the financial certainty to facilitate a great visitor experience and ensure visitors will return.”
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This money will be divided among 14 municipalities. A press release lists Whistler, Valemount, Ucluelet, Tofino, Sun Peaks, Rossland, Revelstoke, Radium Hot Springs, Osoyoos, Kimberley, Invermere, Harrison Hot Springs, Golden and Fernie as communities that will get funding injections.
The government has already spent $61.7 million since the program’s inception in 2007. The money goes to help resort-oriented municipalities or communities improve trails, boardwalks and other infrastructure to make them more attractive to tourists.
“The RMI program is clearly one of the most innovative tourism programs ever,” said Sun Peaks mayor Al Raine.
“Overnight visits to Sun Peaks increased 25 per cent this past summer, something that we could not have accomplished without this program.”
The tourism sector plays a major role in the B.C. economy. Statistics shows 127,000 people were employed in the sector in 2010 which generated a revenue of over $13.4 billion in that year.