To support sustainability and climate resilience, Destination BC has released the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI), to help B.C.’s tourism industry face the impacts of climate change.

The BCTCRI is comprised of four project streams, that invest in:

• practical climate adaptation and sustainability planning for tourism businesses,
• micro-grants to help with implementation of climate adaptation and sustainability plans,
• development of a data framework to enable better insight-driven decisions, and
• new province-wide learning and training opportunities.

The BCTCRI will play a vital role in harnessing opportunities to build a climate-aware tourism industry that is better prepared to proactively respond to climate change, Destination BC said.

It builds on grass-roots efforts by the tourism sector to amplify and elevate tourism businesses and communities in adopting sustainable and regenerative practices, supporting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make climate change driven adaptations. The program aims to incentivize and empower tourism businesses and community destination management organizations to actively contribute to the development of a clean, sustainable, and regenerative tourism landscape in B.C.

The BCTCRI’s first two project streams provide direct support to tourism businesses to help them grow sustainable business practices and address the challenges of climate change by offering personalized assistance for creating sustainability roadmaps to help them save on energy costs and identify solutions to climate change related threats.

Additionally, businesses can receive financial aid for joining accredited sustainability programs, support for planning and adapting to extreme climate events such as wildfires and floods, and funding for projects that reduce energy, waste, and water consumption, aligning with CleanBC’s climate goals.

“Investing in climate preparedness and adaptation not only helps tourism businesses create greater climate resiliency, but it also helps support the sector to meet the objectives of CleanBC, which will benefit people and communities in the years ahead. If we’ve learned anything over the past three years and from the recent wildfires last summer, it’s that we’re stronger together,” stated Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

“Thanks to provincial funding, the BCTCRI is an investment in the tourism industry and the environmental and economic well-being of BC. The program will guide B.C.’s tourism industry through the challenges of climate change by supporting sustainability, encouraging adaptation, and building a collaborative network,” said Alison McKay, Destination BC Vice President of Destination Management.

“We look forward to working closely with our valued partners and supporting the tourism industry as we continue our collective journey towards creating a sustainable, resilient, climate-ready, and thriving tourism sector that benefits visitors and communities.”

This initiative is funded through a $3 million investment from the provincial Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, over two-years, as part of the Destination Development Fund.

It was created through a provincial partnership with Destination BC, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport and B.C.’s six Regional Destination Management Organizations, including Kootenay Rockies.

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