Tourism B.C.’s president has been let go and its board of directors will be replaced with an advisory council that will answer to the minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.
The surprise announcement was made by the provincial government yesterday, which said the move would reduce administrative costs and better co-ordinate marketing initiatives.
“While Tourism B.C. has served British Columbia well, in these difficult economic times it is critical that we maximize every tourism dollar for marketing B.C. to the world,” Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger said.
The integration of Tourism B.C., which was formed in 1997 as an independent Crown corporation, is effective April 1, 2010.
NDP tourism critic Spencer Herbert accused the Liberals of cutting the program to cover up “their budget lie.”
He added that with the looming HST and the current economic downturn, “there could not be a worse time for the government to axe Tourism B.C.”
