TOURISM AND TRAVEL

 

Tourism has grown at an incredible rate in the last decade and the level of enthusiasm among professionals may surpass those of any other industry in the world.  Even so there continues a constant struggle within the private sector of the industry to prove its worth as a viable industry, particularly in comparison to the resource industries which are the traditional base of BC’s economy.

 

The Chamber has long believed in and recognised the importance of tourism and the extraordinary economic value it brings to all residents of the province.  The importance of tourism to the economy of the province will grow significantly in the coming years as the world’s attention turns to BC in the run up and during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

To ensure that the province is well placed to leverage the full benefits presented by the 2010 games a strategic tourism plans needs to be developed in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders as quickly as possible to ensure that the tourism industry has the funding and plans in place to realise the full opportunities throughout the province which are offered by the 2010 games.

 

Every visitor, convention delegate or family member must be treated with the utmost respect and guidance as his or her contribution to the economic value of the tourism industry reaches well past the classification of tourism alone.

 

The importance of the tourism industry in BC as a producer of tax revenue, profits and employment will grow substantially as we near 2010 and the eyes of the world turn on BC.  At present over 220,000 persons are employed under the tourism umbrella in this province and as the palpable sense of excitement grows many more will reach to the industry for career options.  Training has become an integral component to the industry as a whole.  People with professional skills and attitudes will be the future servicers of the BC product.  Both domestic and world competition must be recognised and responded to on a priority basis by both industry and government, and the country’s and province's positions must be maintained in the global market.

 

The importance of a wide range of world class facilities, services and products are known and striven for by both the private sector and government.  Although it is clear our natural beauty coupled with our friendly people are major resources, both must be constantly groomed and nurtured.  The Chamber will continue to contribute in all ways to ensure the good health and steady growth of the tourism industry of BC within the global market