Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) is a province wide program that provides cooperative funding for eligible tourism activities in communities throughout BC. The program is designed to assist communities that are in a position to implement their own tourism building initiatives.
Through one-on-one consultations with communities, representatives from the Regional Destination Marketing Organizations (RDMO) begin assessing trends region-wide, looking for efficiencies, reviewing all funding options available, and potentially assisting communities in prioritizing marketing activities. If the Community Tourism Opportunities program is identified as an option for funding support according to the program guidelines, the RDMO prepares the project proposals on the community’s behalf.
Eligible activities for Community Tourism Opportunities cost-shared funding must focus on incremental tourism related projects that are initiated by the community.
The community must have sufficient funding to pay project-related expenses in full prior to claiming their allotted reimbursement. Tourism BC provides the RDMOs with the funds to reimburse communities for their approved CTO projects.
CTO project proposals will be evaluated against the following factors:
Recommendations from the Regions
Existing Community Tourism Foundations commitments
Demonstrated need in the absence of practical alternatives
Past performance
Forecast and measurable project effectiveness
Tourism British Columbia objectives at the local, regional and provincial levels
Available program budget
All communities interested in the Community Tourism Opportunities program must fully complete an Expression of Interest form. Please contact the Northern BC Tourism office nearest you for further details.
Prince George Office – Clint Fraser 250.561.0432 ext 202 clint@nbctourism.com
Prince Rupert Office – Jillian Greenwood 250.627.8990 jillian@nbctourism.com
Fort St John Office – April Moi 250-785-2544 april@nbctourism.com