Port Moody has a lot going for itself: a solid place in Canadian history, a thriving business and arts scene and fun food festivals in spectacular surroundings.
And, this fall, it'll have a new stakeholder group steering the city on how it can capitalize on these assets — not only for out-of-town guests but for locals as well.
The municipality is now seeking volunteers to be part of its newly created tourism committee. Candidates have until Aug. 31 to apply online at portmoody.ca/volunteer.
PoMo Coun. Diana Dilworth said although there's no funding attached to the plan yet, council already has its ducks in a row. Last year, she chaired the tourism sub-committee under the guise of the economic development committee, of which she is also the chairperson.
It produced its results before city council at the June 2 committee-of-the-whole meeting and recommended council establish a permanent tourism group to build on recreational, arts, culinary, history and environmental opportunities, among other things.
Its audience would be to cater to residents, day-trippers — a key component given the arrival of the Evergreen Line through Port Moody in the fall of 2016 — and out-of-towners from B.C., Canada and abroad.
As well, the sub-committee suggested the new tourism group work with a consultant and have its strategic focus reviewed by council and other city committees every year to stay on track.
Eric Kalnins, Coquitlam's tourism manager who was hired two years ago using casino revenues to the city, said Port Moody is full of potential but it also needs to have a balance of retail, recreation, arts and craft brewery representatives at the table to make the tourism plan work.
Once the committee launches and has its inventory set, Kalnins said he'd like to help out so there are synergies between Coquitlam and Port Moody. "The stronger Port Moody is, the better it is for the region. We can do more because we would have a good one-two punch," he said.
Kalnins said the more cities bond together for tourism projects, the greater the chances to access the bigger bucks. For example, Destination BC gives out grants for initiatives that include at least three municipalities.
But with Coquitlam being the only game in town to push tourism, Kalnins said the Tri-Cities has lost out (Port Coquitlam has no tourism committee nor campaign).
According to Destination BC's 2014 report, the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region — which includes the Tri-Cities — saw 8,266,000 overnight business and leisure visitors last year, who racked up more than $4 billion in economic spinoffs. Their number one destination? Visiting a park.
Meanwhile, Kalnins is expected to present his new five-year tourism strategy before Coquitlam city council on Sept. 14.
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A few Port Moody attractions:
• Rocky Point Park
• Hatcheries
• Terry Fox Run
• Ioco Ghost Town Days
• Craft breweries
• Penguin Plunge
• Golden Spike Days
• Canadian Film Festival
• Rotary RibFest
