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Five regional communities get CTO funds
Five East Kootenay communities are getting Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) funding for projects which will help grow tourism. The CTO program is administered by Kootenay Rockies Tourism.
Tourism is one of the key economic sectors identified in Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan.
The Province’s new tourism strategy builds on the Jobs Plan, providing a framework for government and industry to work together to attract more visitors and create jobs for British Columbians.
The strategy focuses on increasing the number of visitors by building on the global awareness generated by the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“Those of us who are fortunate enough to live here know that the world also loves our lakes, mountains, valleys, communities and outdoor recreation. As well, tourism is a growth industry, a major employer, with a gentle environmental foot print. This is great news,” stated Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett.
The CTO program is administered by the province’s six regional destination marketing organizations which receive the funding from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. Successful applicants must have matching funds for their projects and they receive their funding after successful completion of their projects.
This is the fifth year the CTO program has been in operation, and it has grown in popularity each year.
Both marketing and development projects are eligible under the program which reimburses communities following successful completion of their approved projects. Some examples of initiatives supported include print and broadcast advertising, event promotion, interpretative maps, tourist-related signage, online activities, tourism brochures and research.
Local communities receiving CTO funding:
Cranbrook
Event Marketing – $2,200
Christmas in the Rockies – $4,000
Springtime in the Rockies – $3,000
Elkford
Website Enhancements – $4,200
Promotion of the new Elkford Community and Conference Centre – $5,000
Fernie
Snowmobiling Promotional Video – $2,000
Adventure Online Campaign – $2,000
Wedding, Meeting and Incentive Promotion – $3,200
Ski and Stay Online Campaign – $2,000
Kimberley
TV Golf Campaign – $7,000
Online Advertising – $1,100
Mobile Website and Interactive Trail Map – $1,100
Sparwood
Event Marketing – $1,000
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