The federal government's announcement today to move the offices of the Canadian Tourism Commission from Ottawa to Vancouver was welcomed by the BC Tourism Industry. The Canadian Tourism Commission is a crown corporation of the federal government that works in partnership with the country's tourism industries to promote Canada internationally as a great travel destination. BC's central location between Europe and Asia will offer the CTC balanced access to these markets. Moreover, with negotiations underway to secure Approved Destinations Status with China, Canada will be well positioned to take advantage of an increased interest in travel from the Pacific Asia region. For more information visit http://www.cotabc.com/documents/Press Releases/CTC_Moves.htm.

Thanks to a ground breaking agreement between the Province, The Nature Trust of British Columbia and Weyerhauser Company Limited, MacMillan Provincial Park, located on Vancouver Island west of Nanaimo, will nearly be doubled. The park will be expanded by 140 hectares and cost $5.5 million dollars, of which, $2-million will be invested by the province, $500,00 by the Nature Trust and Weyerhauser making a $3-million eco-gift. The park expansion promises to further protect Cathedral Grove, will benefit the local community by providing enhanced tourism opportunities and will protect valuable wildlife habitat.

A 15-year agreement including an additional $1.65 million in transition funding was reached to manage the heritage site of Barkerville. The site will be managed by a cross-section of representatives from central interior communities and the heritage and tourism sectors that comprise the governance board for the Barkerville Heritage Trust. Ownership of the site will remain with the Province. The $1.65 million in transitional funding is in addition to the $2 million sustaining fund announced last year. In the coming weeks, the agreement will be finalized with the transfer of management responsibility to the Barkerville Heritage Trust on April 1, 2005. One of the Trust's first goals will be to recruit a CEO to lead the group to a new fund-raising strategy. The agreement with Barkerville is the last of 13 heritage sites in B.C. to move to community-based models.

The Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) is set to benefit from a $6.8 million expansion project, crating exciting new opportunities for growth in the Fraser Valley. The partnership between the province and the city of Abbotsford will see the Province is contributing $4.25 million and the city investing $2.25 million, towards expanding the runway by 1,600 feet to accommodate larger aircraft, expanding the runway apron, building a new terminal loading bridge to serve wide-body airplanes, and expanding the international arrivals building to allow for double the number of current passengers to be processed. Each year 400,000 passengers take advantage of the Abbotsford Airport, with this number forecast to increase by 15 percent. The investment will provide the region with increased tourism opportunities, alleviate pressures that exist at the Vancouver International Airport, and act as an economic driver for the city of Abbotsford. The upgrades are expected to begin this spring and be completed by the end of the year.

The Council of Tourism Associations of BC (COTA) has teamed up with Adventureinsurance.ca to give tourism businesses access to a wide range of business coverage. If your business offers nature-based tourism experiences and you need liability insurance, adventureinsurance.ca will provide you with exclusive access to the COTA Insurance and Risk Management Program and the potential savings that go with it. Businesses identified as having risk management plans and operating procedures in place could qualify for premium reductions. Read our brochure and subscribe now by visiting www.adventureinsurance.ca or by calling 1.866.889.4763 ext. 22.

During the 2005 Tourism Industry Conference, Michael Campbell, COTA's President announced that next years tourism industry conference would be held in Penticton. The annual event, offers delegates an opportunity to a unique opportunity to meet and listen to leading speakers on trends affecting the tourism industry, participate in educational seminars, view industry showcases, network with each other and sample a few of BC's finest tourism experiences. TIC 2005, was a great success, with more than 650 people taking part in the three day event, and next year promises to be even better. Penticton has emerged a distinctive destination, offering some of BC's best wines, great skiing and is home to the 2004 BC Best Restaurant. We look forward to seeing you there.