Tourism Industry Applauds Premier Clark

Tourism Industry Association of B.C. confident Premier’s new Cabinet will facilitate “positive and open dialogue” around the issues affecting tourism in the province

On Friday, the announcement by Premier Christy Clark of her new, 19-member Cabinet in Vancouver was met with approval by the Tourism Industry Association of B.C. (TIABC).

“The team I have chosen is a blend of experience and fresh eyes coming new to government—the fresh perspective that government needs,” said Premier Clark, who also called her Cabinet “alive to the challenges of our times.”

Working on behalf of the tourism industry is the new Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, the Honourable Shirley Bond. Minister Bond will, among her tasks, lead the acceleration of the BC Jobs Plan.

Reporting to Minister Bond, the Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business is tasked with:

Ensuring the completion of the Small Business Accord so that small businesses are heard and continue to grow in B.C.

Working with the ministers of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Finance to plan for a 40 per cent reduction of the small business tax rate.

Ensuring B.C. remains a global destination of choice for visitors.

TIABC chair Lana Denoni praised Premier Clark for her attention to the B.C. tourism industry, saying, “We are looking forward to a positive and open dialogue with both Minister Bond and Minister of State Yamamoto around the issues affecting tourism in B.C. and continuing to build on our recent success working with the Liberal government in the creation of Destination BC, the new provincial destination marketing organization.”

Both Ministers Bond and Yamamoto have served on the Executive Council previously. Ms Yamamoto also has a background in small business, having owned her own company and also served as chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce, chair of the North Shore Credit Union, and represented the North Vancouver Chamber on Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association Board.

On Thursday, Tourism Vancouver CEO and president Rick Antonson will be joined by R. Gordon Johnson, chair of its board of directors, and mayor Gregor Robertson to present its Tourism Master Plan at Tourism Vancouver’s 110th Annual General Meeting.