The provincial government has announced a new, three-year base funding model for community visitor services centres to ensure more stable and predictable funding.
The strategy includes a new minimum base funding of $10,000 annually for the next three years for small and rural community visitor centres, including the Burns Lake Visitor Centre. In addition, an innovation fund will be available in 2016 to assist communities with projects that help them adapt to the changing needs and expectations of visitors, including through the use of technology.
Susan Schienbein, Burns Lake and District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre Manager, said the stable funding for the next three years will allow the visitor centre to make plans accordingly.
“The cost of delivering services increases each year so we continually adapt and streamline to ensure we work within our budget," she said. “The Burns Lake Visitor Centre is looking at some improvements to our print, digital, and social media channels and funding certainty will allow us to plan carefully to meet the needs of an increasing visitor population."
Schienbein explained that the Burns Lake Visitor Centre had already been receiving funding from Destination B.C. However, it was hard to predict how much funding exactly would be available each year. Earlier this year, the funding from Destination B.C. had been reduced to $7900 from a previous $10,000 funding agreement. Midway through the year, the funding was bumped back up to $10,000 for visitor centres that were meeting the terms of their agreement, including the Burns Lake Visitor Centre.
“Providing stable, base funding for the next three years will help ensure better long-term planning for our communities,” Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad said. “Our visitor centres highlight the unique experiences and natural assets for the many travellers and visitors to our region.”
Destination B.C., the province’s industry-led destination marketing organization, announced the funding model for the 108 community visitor centres it helps support. Other communities in the Nechako Lakes region to receive the three-year funding include Fort St. James ($10,000), Granisle ($10,000), Houston ($12,500) and Vanderhoof ($10,000).
According to the provincial government, this three-year base funding model for rural and small communities across B.C. acknowledges their ongoing contributions to the tourism industry.
In 2013, the tourism industry generated $13.9 billion in revenue and a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product (GDP) of $7.3 billion, accounting for four per cent of the province’s total GDP.
“Without our funding partners, we would not be able to provide high-quality services to our visitors, seven days a week during the summer and five days a week, year-round,” said Schienbein.