The Olympic mascots appear to have tickets to the Games. (CBC)

The B.C. government plans to give away nearly 3,400 Olympic tickets to visiting business leaders, investors and dignitaries as part of a strategy to promote the province during the 2010 Winter Games, the province announced Friday.

The provincial government spent almost $1 million to buy more than 3,200 tickets and was given 910 more by the Vancouver Olympics organizing committee. But Minister of State for the Olympics Mary McNeil said only 200 tickets would be used by MLAs and ministers, while more than 500 would be given away in contests and the rest will be used to host VIPs.

"British Columbia is already attracting interest around the world from international leaders and dignitaries looking to invest in and promote our province," said McNeil in a statement released Friday morning.

"It is fundamental that we provide them with a quality experience while showcasing all that B.C. has to offer, so that we can capture the economic, social and cultural opportunities from these Games for years to come."

MLAs are hockey fans

According to figures released by the government, the most sought-after tickets for the MLAs and ministers were for men's hockey, with 56 seats claimed. Only two seats at the opening and closing ceremonies were claimed in the allocation. Figure skating was second with 20 seats claimed.

The names of the MLAs or ministers and the value of the seats were not released, but the NDP Opposition previously released documents showing many of the tickets were for luxury suites at GM Place and the Pacific Coliseum.

The hosting strategy also includes 70 networking events during the Games, aimed at highlighting specific industries in B.C. for the visiting VIPs.

"Sometimes the best business is done that way." McNeil said Friday. "It's when you can personalize the relationship. We have the suites. We have the opportunity to get an MLA that has someone in there before the game, after the game, even during the game. People do build relationships."

A maximum of two ministers or MLAs will fulfil hosting duties at any sporting event, and a full accounting of all tickets distributed will be provided after the Games are complete, said McNeil.

Any unused tickets will be offered for sale to Olympic partners, donated to non-profit organizations or returned to VANOC.

Elected officials at all levels of government have come under fire ahead of the Games because of their special access to Olympic tickets.

As a result, many municipal politicians in B.C. have renounced any free access to the Games, while the federal government has promised all MPs will have to pay the full cost for their tickets.