PacifiCan Announces Over $4.8 Million in Funding to Attract More Visitors to BC

The Government of Canada is investing in tourism in British Columbia through an investment of $4.8 million to support the creation of memorable outdoor and cultural experiences across the province and to help businesses diversify export markets.

Provided through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), 24 organizations will benefit from over $4.3 million to enhance local attractions and bring more visitors to communities across BC. These projects will strengthen local economies and showcase BC’s rich culture, Indigenous history, and beautiful landscape with memorable experiences for visitors and residents to enjoy right here in BC.

As part of this announcement:

• Destination BC will receive $250,000 to launch the BC Tourism Business Market Accelerator, helping BC’s tourism operators attract more international visitors. This initiative will connect local businesses with global travel trade specialists, brindging more visitors to communities across our province and strengthening BC’s tourism industry.
• Indigenous Tourism BC will receive $300,000 to promote Indigenous cultural and sports tourism to global audiences in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
• Redd Fish Restoration Society will receive $250,000 to create an interactive, interpretive centre in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island to educate visitors about the region’s watershed and old-growth ecosystems through dynamic exhibits, guided tours, and hands-on conservation activities, promoting sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship.
• The Gitanyow Huwilp Society will receive $250,000 to advance the creation of the Gitanyow Reconciliation Trail, a year-round hiking, riding, and sledding route that follows the historical Grease Trail in Northern BC.

“The travel trade plays a key role in converting global interest in British Columbia into bookings that directly support export-ready businesses in every corner of the province, while helping visitors experience all that BC has to offer,” said Meredith Moll, Director of Partner and Market Development at Destination BC. “This new PacifiCan funding will allow Destination BC to strengthen connections between our tourism operators and global travel trade specialists, bringing more visitors to more communities, creating jobs, and driving long-term growth for BC’s visitor economy.”

This announcement also included $500,000 for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade to help more businesses diversify their sales to new export markets through the Trade Accelerator Program.

Read the full news release: https://www.canada.ca/en/pacific-economic-development/news/2025/03/pacifican-announces-over-48-million-in-funding-to-attract-more-visitors-to-bc-and-bring-bc-products-to-more-markets-around-the-world.html