WHEREAS local communities across British Columbia recognize their airports are a significant economic generator but there is no systematic marketing effort for our airports; AND WHEREAS recent changes in international agreements will facilitate travel from Asia and the recovering world economy will stimulate new route planning by airlines, and the World Route Development Forum held in Vancouver in September 2010 - in North America for the first time - will give the province additional profile among airlines and travel planners: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia work with BC airports to create an air service marketing program that would generate awareness of what our province has to offer leverage financial resources and initiate a greater sharing of information among partners to help improve BCs marketing, and increase international and transborder flights to BC; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such a program, involving the Province, BC airports and regional economic development agencies as well as destination marketing organizations and tourism agencies, would include promoting British Columbia as Canadas gateway between North America and Asia for air travelers and air cargo, as well as identifying specific target markets in the US and Europe and appropriate promotional materials.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure supports the goal of the proposed program it is important to have a strategy in place to maximize the benefits from the various airport infrastructure projects around BC. Due to the current economic climate, the Province does not have funding available for this initiative. However, the Vancouver International Airport and the other airports can work with the Province to ensure that ongoing work on Open Skies and the Pacific Gateway are merged with and complementary to this marketing program.