The Gold Country Communities Society will develop a Geotourism Program to attract visitors to the region, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Federal funding of $165,000 was announced today by Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan – Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. Funding is provided under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative (CEDI), a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

“Developing local tourism is a renewal option for Mountain Pine Beetle affected communities that need to diversify their local economy,” said Mr. Mayes. “With this investment, the Gold Country Communities Society will help to market Gold Country region as a premier location for geocaching and expand economic opportunities within the region.”

"The project announced today is an example of how the Government of Canada is addressing the needs of communities affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation," said Minister Lunn. "Through this support, our Government is helping impacted communities turn challenges into economic opportunities."

Geotourism is the modern treasure hunt with a twist: combining the outdoor adventure and sport activities of geocaching and orienteering, with an exploration aspect of historical and cultural education. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt and physical activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world.

Funding will help the Gold Country Communities Society to research cultural and historical themes and identify specific Geotourism sites, develop and implement a marketing plan including an online launch, develop and distribute field guides and promotional materials and develop and deliver regional and community training workshops.

“We are really looking forward to rolling out the Geotourism Program in the Gold Country area and appreciate the support of everyone contributing to this program,” said Gold Country President David Lair. “The increase in tourism this program will bring to the Gold Country region will be a positive impact to our rural communities.”

Managed by Western Economic Diversification Canada, CEDI will invest more than $33 million over two years towards projects in communities most at risk from the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. The program supports a wide range of projects that further economic growth, job creation and future community sustainability.

The CEDI program is part of the Government of Canada’s $200 million comprehensive response to mitigate the short- and long-term effects of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation on B.C.’s forestry sector. This federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program is led by Natural Resources Canada, in collaboration with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Transport Canada.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy and to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.

For more information on the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program, please visit: http://mpb.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/

For additional information, contact:

Pierre Floréa
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification
Telephone: (613) 943-1838

Amy Thacker
Marketing Coordinator - Tourism
Gold Country Communities Society
Cache Creek, BC
Tel: (250) 457-6606