The Tourism Brief - October 2006

Stan Hagen was appointed Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts on Aug. 15, 2006. He brings to the ministry more than a decade of public service, and family history in the tourism industry.

Tourism British Columbia and the Council of Tourism Associations (COTA) are calling for nominations for the 2007 Tourism Industry Awards, which will take place on February 22, 2007 at the Victoria Conference Centre.

More than 680 tourism professionals from across the world will be gathering in Banff, Alberta from November 27 – November 30 for Tourism BC’s premier trade event, the 17th Annual Canada’s West Marketplace trade show.

British Columbia Magazine has six new industry awards to hang on its trophy wall, including a gold for best reader-service article. The 47-year-old geographic and travel magazine of British Columbia received these accolades at the 46th annual International Regional Magazine Association (IRMA) Conference on September 12, 2006 in Duluth, Minnesota.

BC's sockeye salmon will be starring in several Asian television shows and magazines in the next few months. Once every four years, millions of sockeyes swim their way to the gravel beds of Adams River to spawn and then die. This year's salmon run is already receiving a great deal of international media attention.

Tourism BC's Research Services is pleased to offer October's compilation of key tourism statistics, including customs entries data, provincial and regional room revenue, commercial restaurant receipts, provincial and regional occupancy and average daily room rates, visitor info centre attendance, regional airport passenger volume, ferry passenger volume, and conference centre delegate days.

The Community Tourism Foundations program continues to assist BC communities in establishing effective tourism planning and implementation. The Community Tourism Foundations program is currently working with a total of 42 communities.

Local big horn sheep were spotted by Ron Oszust of Golden Area Initiatives outside of the British Columbia Visitor Centre @ Golden this month. Apparently, these visitors like to feast on the organic garden which is maintained by the staff.

More Information About The GST Rebate Issue

CTC Road Show Hits Pavement Running October 6th - November 10th

Vancouver Island and Vancouver Win at Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award Ceremony

Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts to Invest $1 Million for Recreation Sites and Trails

ATBC Office Has Moved To A New Location