Destination BC Supports Community-Based Indigenous Learning & Projects

Destination BC is providing $200,000 to 47 community Visitor Centres across British Columbia through a new Indigenous Learning & Projects Grant for Visitor Services. This application-based grant program will help Visitor Centre staff in communities across BC by enhancing relationships and enabling partners to work collaboratively on projects, activities, and training that will foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture, history, and tourism products.

Working together with over 50 First Nations, Visitor Centre projects range from Indigenous-led training programs for staff, Indigenous welcome and land acknowledgement signage, interpretive kiosks, digital content development, art installations, Indigenous storytelling for visitors, product knowledge tours to local First Nations tourism products, and more.

Visitor Centres play a pivotal role in providing accurate, insightful, and timely travel information to those looking to explore communities and experience enriching tourism activities in British Columbia. In a typical year, community Visitor Centres collectively serve over 2.9 million visitors at their physical locations, and around their community, and their staff serve as integral service delivery representatives responsible for thoughtfully sharing authentic tourism experiences and products.

The Visitor Centres receiving funding are part of Destination BC’s Visitor Services Network Program. Learn more about the Network Program, here: https://www.destinationbc.ca/what-we-do/destination-management/visitor-services/

The finalized list of Visitor Centres receiving funding through the Indigenous Learning & Projects Grant for Visitor Services is available below:

• Campbell River Visitor Centre
• Comox Valley Visitor Centre
• Gold River Visitor Centre
• Ladysmith Visitor Centre
• Nanaimo Visitor Centre
• Port Alberni Visitor Centre
• Sidney Visitor Centre
• Tofino Visitor Centre
• Bowen Island Visitor Centre
• Chilliwack Visitor Centre
• Gibsons Visitor Centre
• Langley Tourist/Visitor Information Booth
• Mission Visitor Centre
• Pemberton Visitor Centre
• Powell River Visitor Centre
• Sechelt Visitor Centre
• Squamish Visitor Centre
• Armstrong Visitor Centre
• Cache Creek Visitor Centre
• Christina Lake Visitor Centre
• Kamloops Visitor Centre
• Kelowna Visitor Centre
• Keremeos Visitor Centre
• Okanagan Falls Visitor Centre
• Osoyoos Visitor Centre
• Peachland Visitor Centre
• Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre
• Salmon Arm Visitor Centre
• Summerland Visitor Centre
• Route 97 Connector Visitor Centre
• Vernon Visitor Centre
• West Kelowna Visitor Centre
• Cranbrook Visitor Centre
• Creston Visitor Centre
• Golden Visitor Centre
• Nelson Visitor Centre
• Revelstoke Visitor Centre
• Rossland Visitor Centre
• Gold Bridge Tourist/Visitor Info Booth
• Lillooet Visitor Centre
• Burns Lake Visitor Centre
• Chetwynd Visitor Centre
• Fort Nelson Visitor Centre
• Fort St James Visitor Centre
• Prince Rupert Visitor Centre
• Daajing Giids Visitor Centre
• Stewart Visitor Centre
• Vanderhoof Visitor Centre

Quotes: 

“The partnerships this new grant will support among Indigenous communities in B.C. and Destination BC’s Visitor Services Network are an incredible opportunity for meaningful reconciliation. Visitor Centre projects will help to broaden both British Columbians’ and visitors’ knowledge of local Indigenous culture and heritage.” – Hon. Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

“The Indigenous Learning & Projects Grant for Visitor Services supports projects and training that will help ensure Visitor Centre staff enhance their knowledge on ways to respectfully and appropriately share information with visitors about local Indigenous culture, history and tourism products. We are excited to see the projects come to fruition as Visitor Centres around BC endeavor to elevate their approach to visitor services delivery through a deeper commitment to reconciliation.” – Alison McKay, Vice President, Destination Management, Destination BC

“Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) is thrilled to see significant interest from community Visitor Centres across BC in Destination BC’s Indigenous Learning & Projects Grant for Visitor Services. ITBC recognizes the meaningful role Visitor Centres play in creating quality visitor experiences that respectfully share the cultural diversity of BC with visitors to the province. We look forward to seeing Visitor Services teams work collaboratively with First Nations communities to enhance the range of Indigenous-led training programs available to Visitor Centre staff across BC.” – Paula Amos, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, Indigenous Tourism BC 

For additional information, please contact:

Destination BC Media Relations

Email: [email protected]