SMALL COMMUNITIES ELIGIBLE FOR TOURISM MARKETING FUNDING

OSOYOOS – To help grow and promote local tourism, the communities of Boundary Alliance, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos are eligible to receive funding towards marketing and development projects. 

Boundary Alliance is eligible for $23,000, and Okanagan Falls/Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen, Osoyoos and Oliver are eligible for $9,200 each. 

Why this matters:·         This funding assists communities that are in a position to implement their own tourism building initiatives.·         These initiatives will support advertising, tourist-related signage, audio walking tours, online activities, tourism brochures, and research.·        

Smaller towns depend on tourism for jobs and keeping their local economies strong. Quotes:  “These small communities and regions are the hidden gems of tourism – and they’re too beautiful not to share. The idea behind this funding is to make them hidden no longer.”-Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater

Additional Info:·         The funding comes from the Province’s Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) program administered by regional destination marketing organizations.        

Both marketing and development projects are eligible under the program which reimburses communities following successful completion of their approved projects.·         The Province is providing one million dollars shared among 300 grassroots projects. More than 180 communities in all parts of the province have projects that are eligible for funding.·        

 This is the third year the CTO program has been in operation and it has grown in popularity each year. This year there has been a 13 per cent increase in participation. ·         Successful applicants must have matching funds for their projects and they receive their funding after successful completion of their projects.