The Premier says the government continues to review when things like international travel could return amid the COVID-19 pandemic

However, John Horgan says he doesn’t expect to see any changes for the foreseeable future, which is why he’s encouraging British Columbians to travel within the province, once allowed by health officials.

“That is why we’re asking Destination BC to focus on encouraging British Columbians to stay home and go those to places they haven’t been to in a while, or perhaps have never been to,” he said, during a media briefing, when he was asked about the shortfalls in revenue facing the tourism industry across B.C. because of a lack in international travellers.

“Going to the Interior and enjoying cherry season is something I would very much like to do. There’s a whole bunch of things that we can do right here in British Columbia.”

The fourth and final phase of B.C.’s Restart Plan includes international travel, however it is not expected to kick in without a vaccine or community immunity.

“There’s a lot of British Columbians that can stimulate our tourism economy and that’s where I’d like to focus is on encouraging people to get out and see something, hopefully in your neighbourhood, but if you want to travel further afield as the situation changes over the summer, I think that’s good for everybody, it’s good for the tourism economy,” Horgan added.

The province previously announced $10-million in grants to tourism associations across B.C., of which Tourism Kamloops will get $250,000 to use this year.

CEO Beverley DeSantis says that money will help the non-profit keep its marketing team in place, and prepare to welcome tourists back to Kamloops when it’s safe to do.