B.C. TOURISM NUMBERS SHOW LIBERALS FAILED TO CAPITALIZE ON POST-OLYMPIC OPPORTUNITIES
VANCOUVER – While this month marks the two year anniversary of the Liberal government’s launch of its $37 million “You Gotta Be Here” ad campaign, new tourism numbers show the B.C. Liberals bungled post-Olympic tourism opportunities, say the New Democrats.
“Recent travel statistics show that, once again, we have fewer tourists visiting our communities,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, the New Democrat tourism critic. “These declining tourism numbers mean fewer dollars spent in our communities, and fewer jobs. This is despite a promise by the B.C. Liberals to double tourism in B.C. by 2015.”
While tourism was predicted to be the chief economic beneficiary of the Olympics, B.C. saw 21,500 fewer tourists in October 2011 than in October 2010, a drop of about nine per cent, while nationally tourism held steady, according to the Canadian Tourism Commission and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation’s own statistics.
In January 2010, the tourism minister said, “The biggest economic opportunity follows the games. We want to stage the most wonderful Winter Games that have ever been seen, but we certainly want to bring people back.”
Chandra Herbert noted the decline in numbers shows that tourists aren’t returning.
“A major reason for hosting the Olympics was to raise B.C.’s profile in the world and bring visitors here,” said Chandra Herbert. “Yet only a few months ago, the premier was calling B.C. the world's best-kept secret. How can we still be a secret after hosting the Olympics?"
In February of last year, Premier Clark, in her leadership bid, committed to creating an industry-led tourism marketing partnership that would be supported by government. So far, this strategy has failed to materialize.
“The B.C. Liberals decided to dismantle Tourism B.C. - the award-winning, industry-led provincial marketing organization that oversaw the promotion of British Columbia as a tourist destination - right before the Olympics,” said Chandra Herbert. “The premier needs to honour her commitment to re-establish this kind of partnership between the government and the industry professionals who best know how to market B.C.”
The tourism industry is important to many B.C. communities, providing tens of thousands of jobs across the province.
“Tourism in B.C. is falling behind when we should be leading. Because of the B.C. Liberals’ HST debacle, massive cuts to arts programs, and the elimination of Tourism B.C., we have fewer visitors now than before the Olympics and the province hasn’t been able to capitalize on all the incredible experiences we have to offer.”
“Recent travel statistics show that, once again, we have fewer tourists visiting our communities,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, the New Democrat tourism critic. “These declining tourism numbers mean fewer dollars spent in our communities, and fewer jobs. This is despite a promise by the B.C. Liberals to double tourism in B.C. by 2015.”
In January 2010, the tourism minister said, “The biggest economic opportunity follows the games. We want to stage the most wonderful Winter Games that have ever been seen, but we certainly want to bring people back.”
Chandra Herbert noted the decline in numbers shows that tourists aren’t returning.
“A major reason for hosting the Olympics was to raise B.C.’s profile in the world and bring visitors here,” said Chandra Herbert. “Yet only a few months ago, the premier was calling B.C. the world's best-kept secret. How can we still be a secret after hosting the Olympics?"
In February of last year, Premier Clark, in her leadership bid, committed to creating an industry-led tourism marketing partnership that would be supported by government. So far, this strategy has failed to materialize.
“The B.C. Liberals decided to dismantle Tourism B.C. - the award-winning, industry-led provincial marketing organization that oversaw the promotion of British Columbia as a tourist destination - right before the Olympics,” said Chandra Herbert. “The premier needs to honour her commitment to re-establish this kind of partnership between the government and the industry professionals who best know how to market B.C.”
The tourism industry is important to many B.C. communities, providing tens of thousands of jobs across the province.
“Tourism in B.C. is falling behind when we should be leading. Because of the B.C. Liberals’ HST debacle, massive cuts to arts programs, and the elimination of Tourism B.C., we have fewer visitors now than before the Olympics and the province hasn’t been able to capitalize on all the incredible experiences we have to offer.”
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