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UCLUELET – Visitors to Ucluelet will soon have better
trekking access through some of the world’s most spectacular ancient forests, thanks to an agreement signed with the Province
under the
“This latest agreement will provide the funding needed to connect parts of the Wild Pacific Trail so that people of all ages and abilities can experience the beauty of the area in a safe and eco-friendly way,” said Chong. “This will help Ucluelet draw more tourists and keep them visiting longer, supporting our government’s goal of doubling tourism revenues by 2015.”
Under the agreement, it is
estimated that Ucluelet and area will receive $500,000 over five years. The
District will use the funds to develop walkways, linking phases one and two of
the Wild Pacific Trail from Terrance Beach to
As a result of these investments over the next five years, Ucluelet expects to see a 10 per cent annual increase in occupancy rates and overnight stays, a 10 per cent increase in retail sales and business licences issued, and a 25 per cent increase in visitor satisfaction levels.
“We’ve worked hard to transition over the last decade from a resource-based economy to one focused on tourism, and this agreement will help us offer so much more to our visitors,” said Ucluelet Mayor Dianne St. Jacques. “As we enhance our amenities, we’re committed to preserving our environment, as we are already are doing with our plans for LEED Silver certification in all new buildings.”
Under the program, an eligible community receives a share of the provincial hotel room tax, an amount based on a formula that takes into account the level of tourist accommodation in the community, relative to other B.C. communities. To be eligible, municipalities must have tourism-based economies or be incorporated as a “mountain resort municipality” under the Local Government Act.
Communities must be prepared to put in place an additional two per cent hotel room tax, prepare a resort development strategy that reflects the input of stakeholders and enter into a five-year results-based tourism development agreement that sets out what will be achieved through revenue sharing.
Ucluelet and
Tofino are the latest communities to reach an agreement with the Province. To
date, Whistler, Golden, Rossland, Harrison Hot Springs, Radium Hot Springs,
The
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Ministry of Community Services 250 387-4089 |
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