The month of August has been officially declared the month of staycations by the B.C. government.
Last week Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone took his staycation making a Discovery Coast Circle Tour.
Stone travelled with his family from Kamloops to the coast, up Vancouver Island to Port Hardy, across to Bella Coola, and through the Chilcotin and Cariboo back to Kamloops, reports Todd in a press release.
The journey included travel on BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Duke Point, Port Hardy to Bella Coola aboard the Northern Expedition, and from Bella Bella to Bella Coola aboard the Nimpkish.
“The Discovery Coast Circle Tour was a great adventure for my family,” Stone says.
“We enjoyed every moment of our travel, from our arid Thompson region to lush Vancouver Island and through to the wild and scenic Chilcotin and Cariboo via BC Ferries.
“We’re so lucky to call this rugged, beautiful province home, and I encourage all British Columbians to take a ‘staycation’ and appreciate the beauty of B.C.”
This month British Columbians are encouraged to explore local attractions and take in the many summer events, festivals and outdoor markets held in cities and towns throughout the province. When you take a staycation, you’re not only supporting vital businesses near home, you’re also contributing to the province’s economy and helping to create jobs in B.C. Tourism is an important economic driver in British Columbia and is one of the eight key sectors in the BC Jobs Plan.
The report says that in 2011, the tourism sector generated revenues of $13.4 billion and employed 127,000 British Columbians, almost one in every 15 jobs in B.C.
The tourism industry supports businesses of all sizes — with approximately 18,000 tourism-related businesses in B.C. For more visit: www.hellobc.com.