NDP MLAs Alexis and D’Eith say tourism grants will help fund local events in Abbotsford and Mission

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MISSION – New Democrat MLAs Pam Alexis and Bob D’Eith say that local events in Abbotsford and Mission will benefit from provincial tourism funding.

“Events like the Abbotsford Airshow and the Mission Folk Music Festival have been bringing people together for decades and it was so good to have them back this summer after the pandemic. Funding like this helps ensure locals and visitors can continue to enjoy the community events we love,” said Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission

The Province has provided funding to nearly 100 organizations through its Tourism Events Program (TEP) to build B.C.’s reputation as an events destination and increase visitation.

In Abbotsford and Mission, the following local events are recieving funding from the program:

  • Abbotsford International Airshow- $50,000
  • 2023 Volleyball BC Indoor Provincial Championships- $12,500
  • 36th Annual Mission Folk Music Festival- $18,500

“The Mission Folk Music Festival is one of my favourite events of the year. I am glad to be part of a government that understands how important arts and culture events like this are for bringing people together in the community and bringing visitors to great communities like Mission,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission.

The Province announced $4.8 million for the Tourism Events Program in April this year, marking the return of TEP after a two-year absence due to the global pandemic. TEP funding supports a wide range of tourism experiences, including arts, cultural, or internationally recognized sporting competitions, bolstering awareness of the event, attracting additional overnight visitors and increasing tourism benefits to communities. The Province has provided over $18 million in TEP funding since 2016, supporting 317 events.

TEP grant amounts are for eligible activities that amplify the event’s provincial, national, and international marketing reach.

Learn More:

Provincial News Release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/27751

To Learn about the Strategic Framework for Tourism 2022 – 2024: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/tourism-resources/tourism-framework.