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British Columbia is known worldwide for its spectacular
and diverse natural environment, hospitality, and
unrivalled variety of tourism experiences and
opportunities.
British Columbia offers visitors Alaska cruises,
skiing, sightseeing, ocean kayaking, sports fishing,
whale-watching, cultural tours, and much more.
In 2005, British Columbia hosted 22.9 million visitors,
an increase of 1.9 per cent from 2004, and earned $9.8
billion in tourism revenues, up 3.3 per cent from 2004.
Over 70 per cent of British Columbia’s tourism revenue
is generated by non-residents: approximately 29 per cent
from other parts of Canada, 24 per cent from the US, and
18 per cent from offshore. The tourism sector employs over
120,000 people.
There are over 40 major resorts located throughout the
province – including the world-renowned
Whistler-Blackcomb resort – and hundreds of specialty
destination facilities, such as spas, sports fishing
lodges and wilderness resorts.
British Columbia’s government is working closely with
the tourism industry, communities and First Nations to
further develop the province’s potential for destination
resorts. Flowing from an extensive consultation process,
the BC Resort Strategy and Action Plan lays out a
timetable for specific initiatives to accelerate expansion
of the resort sector, including the identification of
candidate sites for future development.
- Aggressive global marketing is building increased
awareness and brand recognition of British Columbia’s
uniquely attractive tourism products.
- The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, to be
held in British Columbia, provide an unparalleled
opportunity to market and showcase the province’s resort
development potential.
- Streamlined provincial permitting is available for
resort projects.
- Safety and political stability as a visitor
destination.
- Excellent international and domestic accessibility
by air, and a well-maintained, all-weather highway
system.
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