Âé¶čAVâs national accolades continue to pile up.
The city was named the number one mid-size city (population 50,000 to 150,000) for sport hosting in Canada early Friday.
The award recognizes the strong partnership between the city and Tourism Âé¶čAV, as well as national and international organizations that collaborate with local sports groups to attract, organize, and execute sporting events in Âé¶čAV every year.
âWe are committed to establishing Âé¶čAV as a centre for multi-sport excellence, as a host to tournaments large and small, including major athletic events, such as the Apple Triathlon and Okanagan Marathon,â said Âé¶čAV Mayor Colin Basran. âWith sport and event tourism as a key driver for travel to Âé¶čAV, it contributes significantly to the local economy through tourismâs $1.25 billion in annual economic output.â
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According to the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, Tourism Âé¶čAVâs major events strategy resulted in economic gain contributions of the estimated $7 billion industry of sport tourism in the Canadian economy.
Recent examples of such successes include the World Mixed Curling Championships which contributed $630,000 in new visitor spending in Âé¶čAV this past fall.
âÂé¶čAV has established itself as a leading destination for sport tourism and hosting,â said Lisanne Ballantyne, president and CEO of Tourism Âé¶čAV.
âIn 2018, Âé¶čAV was host to more than 100 sport events. The national title awarded to Âé¶čAV recognized a cross section of those events, specifically national championships and international events, while also considering major events secured for 2019 and 2020. Weâre on the map and will continue to promote Âé¶čAVâs established reputation as a sought after destination for sport and event tourism.â
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Going forward, Âé¶čAV is set to host more national and international sports events including Skate Canada International later this year, and the 2020 Memorial Cup.
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