The B.C. government is relaunching a program to help fund tourism events with up to $5 million in new money.
Starting today, tourism-event organizers can submit funding applications for up to 10 per cent of their events' budgets. The events must take place sometime between October 1 and September 30, 2023. The government is accepting applications until May 31.
The program had operated pre-pandemic, but was paused when health orders banned large events.
Some events that previously obtained funding were:
• The Surf Canada National Championships and Canadian Olympic Trials, which saw the selection of Canadian athletes for Tokyo 2020, where surfing made its Olympic debut;
• Women Deliver 2019 Culture Night, which showcased B.C.'s culture and entertainment at the world's largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of girls and women;
• Honda Celebration of Lights in Vancouver, which is set for late July, generates an estimated $170 million in economic activity and has attracted crowds estimated at more than 1.4 million;
• Sunfest Country Music Festival in Lake Cowichan, which attracted thousands of music fans from all over the world; and
• Crankworx Whistler, which brought together the best athletes in the mountain bike community to compete in a variety of elite competitions.
