The Manitoba Chamber of Commerce has a membership of over 10,000 businesses and organizations in 69 chambers across the province of Manitoba.

Special attention has been requested in our tourism sector. Tourism is worth 1.5 Billion Dollars annually in the province. Currently, government spending on Travel Manitoba only covers basic costs and salaries with not a lot left over to promote travellers to come to Manitoba from the rest of the country, the USA, and other places. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce encouraged and persuaded the government to invest more of the tax revenue derived from tourism back into the industry.

The outgoing NDP and the current Conservative government both agreed to a funding formula that will have 4% of all taxes from tourism in Manitoba go back into Travel Manitoba.

"The funds will be directed to market and promote travel in the province," says CEO of Travel Manitoba Collin Ferguson.

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce President Chuck Davidson says there are tourism opportunities in every area of the province such as the Morris Stampede or Altona's Sunflower Festival, but they need to be promoted in order to bring tourism in.

CEO of Travel Manitoba Colin Ferguson gives us his view on the new increase, starting with the plan they proposed to the provincial government.