In a move that has stunned British Columbia’s tourism industry, the provincial government has killed off Tourism B.C., the Crown corporation that promotes the province around the world, fired its CEO and brought the marketing machine inside government, the Times Colonist reported today.
Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger said the move will provide better co-ordination of B.C.’s marketing strategy to maximize the economic benefit of the 2010 Olympic Games.
“Our initial reaction is one of shock and concern,” said Dave Cowen, general manager of Butchart Gardens. “We think back to all the reasons that Tourism B.C. was created at arms length to the government. Our opinion was that Tourism B.C. was functioning well and we are therefore apprehensive about the future.”
For the full story from the Times Colonist, visit http://tinyurl.com/ra34bc
