Two Richmond tourism CEOs will be part of a task force looking to reignite B.C.’s tourism sector.
Tamara Vrooman, newly appointed CEO of Vancouver International Airport, and Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond, will be part of a 10-person provincial group looking at how they can push B.C.’s tourism industry, hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, towards recovery.
The province has earmarked $50 million for new measures the task force comes up with.
“There is no question that B.C.’s tourism businesses have suffered considerably due to COVID-19, which is why I’m so thankful that the members of this new task force have stepped up to help address the challenges head on,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a press release. “I am confident their vast expertise will be instrumental in putting tourism in B.C. back on a solid footing.”
It’s estimated the tourism industry brings $2 billion into the Richmond economy. At the beginning of the pandemic, the airport’s passenger numbers crashed by 95 per cent and three hotels closed in Richmond. River Rock Casino has been closed since throughout the pandemic as well.
