TIABC Policy on Extractive Industries

Adventure tourism (a key sector component that embodies Super, Natural BC) is the face of
BC’s tourism brand because it offers endless transformative experiences for visitors,
complemented by Indigenous tourism products and services.
The adventure tourism sub-sector in British Columbia:

• Supports 32,000 BC families (21,000 direct, 11,000 indirect) in communities throughout all regions;
  Sustains 2,200 businesses and jobs ranging from managerial positions, trades and technical
  roles, to seasonal, entry-level employment for all demographics including immigrants and
  temporary foreign workers;
  Generates over $3 billion in direct annual visitor spending; and
  Provides entrepreneurial and partnership opportunities for Indigenous nations and rural areas.
  

Since 2014, tourism has generated higher GDP than agriculture, forestry, mining, and oil and gas
(see Image 1 and Table 1). During COVID, when the visitor economy ground to a halt, 2020 and
2021 were the only years in the last decade where tourism GDP did not exceed those of extractive
industries. However, 2023 is on target to overtake other natural resource sectors once again.