Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts Olga Ilich announced five new Directors to Tourism BC's Board of Directors, including Former Royal British Columbia Museum Director Bill Barkley, Intrawest Mountain Resorts COO David Brownlie, Hell's Gate Airtram General Manager Debbie McKinney, Links Investments Principal Mike Smith and Walker Hospitality President Kevin Walker.

In addition, the following reappointments have been made:

Frank Bourree		Grant Thornton LLP
Harley Elias		As Wild As You Are Adventures
Terry Farmer		Accent Inns, Inc.
Kelley Glazer		Delta Victoria - Ocean Pointe Resort
John Korenic		Vancouver International Airport Authority
Charles McDiarmid		Wickaninnish Inn & Pointe Restaurant
Stuart McLaughlin		Grouse Mountain Resorts
Don Monsour		Council of Tourism Associations BC
Allen Tozer		Lexlaur Properties, Inc.

Mike Duggan will provide support to the Board in an ex officio capacity as past Chair.

"The impressive mix of experienced industry professionals and entrepreneurs on Tourism BC's Board of Directors will provide the leadership necessary to strategically guide the corporation's activities in the important time leading up the Olympics," commented Minister Ilich. "Clearly, tourism growth will be one of the most important measurements of our province's success in hosting the Games."

Tourism BC is the Crown corporation responsible for marketing the Super, Natural British Columbia^® brand to the world. The corporation's mandate is to promote development and growth in the tourism industry, to increase revenues and employment throughout British Columbia, and to increase the economic benefits generated by the tourism industry for all British Columbians. The corporation is governed by an industry-based 15-member board of directors.

Tourism BC works closely with the province's tourism industry and the provincial government to promote and develop tourism throughout the province and to ensure the continued long-term growth and prosperity of this $9.8 billion industry.