Published on : Tuesday, February 18, 2020
The funding is for rural communities impacted by mill close downs and will be provided by Destination BC to five regional destination marketing organizations (RDMOs), with each RDMO $200,000 funding to support strategic planning and destination development.
RDMOs will work jointly with the communities affected as well as government to prioritize the wants of the people who live there and determine what tourism investments will have the greatest impact.
“Tourism Wells Gray has been one of many local voices advocating for additional funding supports to our community in light of the mill closure,” said Stephanie Molina, executive director of TWG.
“I am very pleased to see this generous support of our rural communities, economy and tourism development.”
It’s expected that Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), local governments, different Ministry representatives, besides Tourism Wells Gray, will be meet face-to-face on March to talk about the funding opportunity and further plans.
Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA president and CEO, explained in an email that his organization will be working together with communities, regional and local economic development, and tourism agencies in making the use of funds to develop tourism initiatives and eventually new businesses and job opportunities.
“Priorities are for destination development initiative(s) specifically targeting rural communities with populations of less than 25,000 who have been affected by permanent mill closures,” he said.
“Our goal, as we work closely with our partners, will be to find and develop legacy projects that will have a lasting positive impact and may be replicated in other communities in the future. Strategic tourism stewardship and management have the ability to make a significant impact on our entire region and we look forward to working together and assisting anywhere we can on bringing this to fruition.”
Tags: Tourism Wells Gray