VICTORIA — The Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) destination-development stream is providing funding to 54 new tourism projects throughout B.C.
The destination-development funding invests in implementation-ready tourism infrastructure and amenities projects that support the recovery and resilience of tourism. It creates jobs and develops infrastructure that will attract visitors to B.C. communities when travel resumes.
“Our laser focus right now is on helping people and businesses during the pandemic, while making sure we’re ready to welcome visitors and explore B.C. when it is safe to do so,” says Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Investing in community-based tourism infrastructure not only creates good-paying jobs, it also helps to rebuild this hard-hit industry and ensures B.C.’s reputation as a world-class travel destination remains strong.”
Funding for the destination-development stream of the CERIP totals $20 million. Approved projects include campground and recreational-vehicle site development, alpine and mountain-bike trails, boat-launch upgrades, construction and/or renovations of visitor amenities and Indigenous interpretive centres.
Funding from the ministries of Municipal Affairs and Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development also includes projects that support the tourism sector. An additional $34.5 million has been allocated for 95 tourism-related projects from these other CERIP funding streams, totalling almost $55-million toward tourism resiliency and development throughout B.C.
“We are thrilled to receive funding in order to establish a destination heritage trail along the scenic banks of the Harrison River, providing a unique ecological and cultural experience near to Vancouver,” said Sah-ahkw, Chief Ralph Leon Jr., Sts’ailes Nation. “With ever-present views of the river, the trail links numerous ancestral Sts’ailes villages, crosses salmon-bearing channels and passes through centuries-old orchards. We envision the trail as a critical link between the past and the present; Elders and youth; traditional teachings and education; and, importantly, our community and others who wish to learn more about us, our rich history and homeland.”
