The traveller journey has evolved in recent years, and visitors are increasingly seeking engaging experiences that are immersive, community-centric, sustainable, and inclusive.

To encourage visitors to travel further, stay longer, adopt responsible travel behaviours, and connect meaningfully while exploring British Columbia, Destination BC is providing 20 community Visitor Centres with funding through the Visitor Experience Enhancement Grant for Visitor Services.

Fernie and Golden are among the 20 communities to receive funds.

The projects, deeply rooted in service delivery and creating long-term benefits for communities, include a diverse range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the visitor experience both within the Visitor Centre and throughout the community. The projects encourage interactions between visitors and locals, supporting community members with telling stories about local culture, history, and heritage and providing opportunity for learning and enhanced understanding of Indigenous culture and connections to the land. The initiatives also support visitors with navigation tools like signage, maps, and technology. This inspires visitors to keep coming back to discover more of the incredible places and experiences B.C. has to offer, strengthening travel appeal in all regions and seasons.

The Visitor Experience Enhancement Grant for Visitor Services is an application-based pilot program, providing $526,000 to 20 community Visitor Centres who are part of BC’s Visitor Services Network. Communities receiving funding, are: Fernie, Golden, Hedley, Cache Creek, Chase, Clearwater, Cortes Island, Dawson Creek, Duncan, Fort Nelson, Gold River, Kitimat, McBride, Mission, New Hazelton, Sicamous, Sointula, Valemount, Whistler and Williams Lake.​

Scheduled for completion by summer 2025, these projects play an important role in sustainably growing tourism across all regions and seasons while contributing benefits for communities, local economies, and residents.

Visitor Centres serve as essential hubs for offering accurate, insightful, and timely travel information to those seeking to explore communities and enjoy enriching tourism activities in B.C.

In an average year, community Visitor Centres throughout the province collectively assist over 2.9 million visitors, at their physical locations, virtually, and other locations or events throughout the community.

Visitor Centre staff play an integral role in elevating the visitor experience by providing personalized guidance that promotes local businesses and encourages spending, contributing to the tourism economy through their dedication to thoughtfully sharing authentic tourism experiences and products.

Lead image: Fernie’s Visitor Information Centre on a snowy winter day.  e-KNOW file photo

Article Share