$5 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN ABORIGINAL TOURISM IN B.C.

VANCOUVER – The Province is investing $5 million over the next four years to help build a culturally rich and sustainable Aboriginal tourism industry throughout B.C., announced Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.

“In B.C., we are very privileged to have a strong Aboriginal heritage,” said Hagen. “There are currently about 200 Aboriginal tourism businesses, ranging from accommodation and adventure attractions to tourism services. These businesses cater to the strong increase in the number of people looking for authentic cultural tourism experiences as part of their vacation. This $5-million grant will help develop Aboriginal cultural tourism into a prosperous, strong, and dynamic sector of our economy in every community of the province.”

The $5 million is being provided to the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (ATBC) to support the implementation of the Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Blueprint Strategy, which is focused on the development and marketing of Aboriginal tourism businesses, training and skills development, in addition to fostering community economic development and cultural preservation.

“Implementing the strategy will create new employment and economic development opportunities in the lead up to 2010 and beyond, while helping to strengthen and preserve the cultural identity of Aboriginal people and communities throughout B.C.,” said Brenda Baptiste, chair of ATBC. “I want to acknowledge the longstanding support of the government of B.C., Tourism BC, the First Nations Leadership Council and the federal government. Their guidance and financial support in raising awareness of the growth opportunities in Aboriginal tourism has helped make this plan a reality today.”

“Aboriginal tourism is destined to become a driving force and cornerstone for economic development in B.C. First Nations communities,” said Chief Judith Sayers, a member of the First Nations Summit and First Nations Leadership Council. “The ATBC is playing a critical role through the implementation of the Blueprint Strategy in creating the path, the support network and the framework to make this a reality for many of our communities. We applaud the government of B.C. for recognizing the strong economic benefits of Aboriginal tourism through the provision of a $5-million commitment to assist in the implementing the Blueprint Strategy.”

As a part of today’s announcement, the B.C. government, the Squamish Nation and the ATBC signed a memorandum of understanding that will expand the highly successful Squamish Youth Ambassador Program as a model for Aboriginal tourism training throughout the province. At the signing, the group announced a goal to train 210 Aboriginal Youth Ambassadors in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“For many years, our Youth Ambassador program has been growing and benefiting our young people,” said Chief Gibby Jacob, Squamish Nation. “We are very pleased to be able to share this successful program with Aboriginal youth and communities through the province.”

By 2012, the Aboriginal tourism industry is expected to contribute over $50 million to B.C.’s economy, up from approximately $35 million today. A sustainable Aboriginal tourism sector with diverse products in communities in every region of the province is recognized as one of the major focuses for achieving the target set by Premier Gordon Campbell to double tourism revenues in B.C. by 2015.

Key activities of the ATBC over the next four years include:

· Rolling out the Aboriginal Youth Ambassador program across the province.

· Developing consumer advertising campaigns to increase visitation.

· Attending major travel trade marketplaces to increase Aboriginal tour packages.

· Developing career awareness programs.

· Publishing an expanded Aboriginal cultural experiences visitor guide.

· Establishing tourism education and training programs, including FirstHost, to increase market-readiness and identify new opportunities.

· Developing Aboriginal cultural tourism authenticity protocols and certifications.

The ATBC is a non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry. Through training, information resources, networking opportunities and co-operative marketing programs, ATBC is working to realize its vision of a healthy, prosperous and dynamic Aboriginal tourism industry in British Columbia.

For more information on Aboriginal tourism in British Columbia, visit www.aboriginalbc.com.

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Media contact:	Don McDonald Communications Director Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts 250 356-9869	Bill Eisenhauer Communications Specialist Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia 250 744-4748

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