Tourism FAQ’s

The Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society (CVTMS) is the lead organization behind Travel Columbia Valley, Tourism Radium, and Invermere-Panorama. As the regional destination marketing organization, our team showcases the unforgettable experiences of Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, Panorama, Fairmont Hot Springs, and surrounding areas.

Our team promotes responsible tourism to the Columbia Valley through traditional, digital, and social marketing strategies; conducts destination development strategies; collaborates with local businesses; hosts media; supports events; manages Valley Visitor Services, and more!

Travel Columbia Valley 

Invermere Panorama 

Tourism Radium

CVTMS is funded through Municipal & Regional District Tax (MRDT). MRDT is a consumer tax on room stays and is used to fund destination marketing & destination development initatives.

MRDT is one of the few effective tools in British Columbia to raise runds at the destination level for tourism marketing, collected in 50+ municipalities provincially.

All properties with rooms available for short-term nightly rentals (those remitting PST)  including hotels, motels, resorts, B&Bs, short term rentals, and cabins within the boundaries of Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, Panorama, Regional District of East Kootenay Area F & G.

The guest pays. The MRDT is added to the guest folio on checkout.  

Accommodators in other destinations collecting MRDT report that guests don’t even notice a few extra dollars on the daily rate. Because so many jurisdictions in North America levy a similar charge, it has not generated a negative response from travellers. These funds become a reliable source of funding for destination promotion, growing each year as successful campaigns are launched.

• Accommodators offering overnight stays in:
  • Village of Radium Hot Springs
  • District of Invermere
  • Panorama
  • RDEK Area F
  • RDEK Area G
• Experience providers, such as:
  • Tourism operators
  • Arts and culture businesses
  • Retail shops
  • Food and beverage establishments
  • Transportation companies
  • Event organizers
• Nonprofit organizations and community groups

Tourism stakeholders are encouraged to partner with Travel Columbia Valley to help grow tourism in the region and highlight the incredible experiences and activities the Columbia Valley has to offer.

Our team collaborates with businesses in many ways, including marketing co-op programs, event funding, hosting travel media visits, content development, website listings, and social media collaborations.

Explore our marketing supports to see how we can best support your business.

• Explore our library of resources and marketing supports 
• Attend an event hosted by CVTMS
• Engage with us! Send us a note, book a time to meet or stop by our office to meet the team.
• Stay in touch with our marketing programs through social media, email newsletters, and web.