WHEREAS British Columbia tourism generated 13.9 billion in revenue, 7.3 billion in GDP and employed over 132,000 people 2013, and communities across the Province have built and operate visitor centres by relying on annual performance based funding from Destination BC; AND WHEREAS Destination BC decided in 2014 to eliminate its performance-based grant calculation model, which funded local visitor centres based on the traffic counts generated at each centre; AND WHEREAS communities with visitor centres that are members of the visitor centre network require assurance of long-term funding based on their specific traffic counts and long term needs: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the Province to direct Destination BC to restore its performance-based funding model for visitor centres - a model based on actual traffic at local and regional visitor centres - to create a stable funding environment based on particular, local needs and in support of local jobs and economic development across the province.
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism Skills Training Destination BC agrees with the need for predictable funding for visitor centres and, at the same time, Destination BC is making greater efforts to be equitable in the distribution of its finite budget for visitor servicing. Destination BC is also mindful of changes in visitors expectations and behaviours when planning and undertaking travel. Destination BC notes that there is no objective, independent way of measuring visitor centre traffic. Therefore, a funding model based on visitor centre traffic count means that the funding of one community depends on how other communities choose to measure and report visitor centre traffic. Through its funding mechanism for visitor servicing, Destination BC will ensure the stable and equitable distribution among all communities of its finite budget for visitor servicing. Communities will be able to use that funding to meet their particular local needs, including supporting their visitor centres if desired. Destination BC will make additional funds available to help innovative communities adapt to the evolving needs and expectations of visitors including through the use of technology.