The Community Development Institute at UNBC is hosting a presentation on local tourism development in its fall Speakers Series. The free public talks will be given in Prince George and Williams Lake by Richard Porges, the Director of Research for Tourism BC:

“Making Research Count: Applying Research to Support Community Tourism Development”

Prince George, Wednesday, Oct 5, 7:30 – 9pm Room 7-150, UNBC campus

Williams Lake, Thursday, Oct 6, 7:30 – 9pm, Council Chambers, Williams Lake City Hall

“Tourism is seen as providing a significant economic opportunity for the province, but growing our tourism industry will require growing tourism on a community-by-community basis across the province,” says Greg Halseth, Director of the Community Development Institute and a Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies. “This talk will focus on the use of research and the application of research tools to identify and take advantage of tourism development opportunities for communities.”

Richard Porges is the Director of Research Services at Tourism British Columbia. Research Services has completed a number of projects designed to support community and regional tourism development including a study of the Characteristics of the Nature-Based Tourism Industry in British Columbia, the Northern Rockies - Alaska Highway Visitor Study, and visitor surveys at several Visitor Info Centres around the province.

The Community Development Institute was created at UNBC in 2004. By undertaking research, sharing information, and supporting education outreach, the Community Development Institute at UNBC is interested in community capacity and community development issues in northern BC’s communities.

Contact:
Don Manson, Community Development Institute, UNBC - 250.960.5018
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622