CANADA | British Columbia's tourism and hospitality industry leaders have outlined the need for the region to reach its full potential.
British Columbia tourism and hospitality leaders of the CAD $18 billion industry have said the next provincial Government must address several obstacles to sustainable growth for the sector to reach its full potency and help communities from a social, environmental, cultural, and economic perspective.
The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) noted that while the sector has largely recovered from the pandemic thanks to an outstanding tourism product, the resiliency of operators, strong partnerships, as well as provincial and federal government grants that allowed many businesses to continue operating during and/or after COVID, the overall number of tourism businesses has declined while the industry remains short of the workers needed to service visitors.
In its 2024 Election Toolkit, TIABC, along with its business, sector and destination management organisation members, has called on party leaders to address several issues pertaining to land use, transportation, workforce, investment, regulations, Indigenous relations, housing, and educa on as part of the BC election campaign.
“We have transportation challenges within BC that need to be resolved to allow both residents and visitors the ability to travel seamlessly to and from rural communities. Enhancing infrastructure such as airports, ferry terminals, and highways, as well as investing in new venues such as convention centres that will increase demand for our des na on, is vital,” said TIABC Ceo Walt Judas said.
“At the same time we also need a plan to help businesses saddled by rising costs for necessities like energy, labour, supplies, and taxes that have increased cumulatively by close to 20 percent since 2019, resulting in a steeper decline in profitability relative to a rise in revenue.”
While tourism and hospitality sector revenues have not yet reached 2019’s record-setting level, the industry is on a positive trajectory but nonetheless requires further government action.
“We need our provincial government to facilitate an investment climate that a racts the private sector to develop and invest in our province,” said BC Hotel Association President and CEO, Ingrid Jarrett.
“Our visitor-based economy is poised for growth and investment is key to expedite development for infrastructure around BC to support sustainable, though ul growth and the wellbeing of our communities.”
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