Tourism Vancouver Island gratefully acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Coast Salish peoples.
February is Black History Month
Black History Month is a time to honour, celebrate and reflect on the stories, experiences and accomplishments of Black Canadians here in British Columbia and across the country. The 2022 theme for Black History Month is: “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day.”
Actions you can take:
Tune in to Canada's Black History Month virtual celebration on February 17, 2022 at 7:00 pm EST on Facebook Live for feature performances, tributes, interviews and more
Download and use the Government of Canada's Black History Month toolkit
Read the joint statement in recognition of Black History Month by BC Premier John Horgan and Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives
Learn more from the BC Black History Awareness Society and participate in their events, many of which will be held in Victoria (and virtually online)
Are you a Black-owned or operated tourism business in the Vancouver Island region? Email us at info@tourismvi.ca to share your story and let us know how we can help amplify your business
Van Isle Valentines Return
Van Isle Valentines are back by popular demand. Over the month of February, join us as we share "virtual valentines" about some of the people and places we love in the Vancouver Island region:
Send a valentine to your favourite Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands tourism businesses, colleagues and communities
Share a short written message and/or visual memory (photo or video)
We’ll share your message on our social media channels using #VanIsleValentine
Please join us for the return of the in-person Vancouver Island Tourism Conference from April 12-14, 2002 at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort in Victoria, BC. The early bird rate is only $375 until next Friday, February 11th. Register today and save $100!
The Vancouver Island Tourism Conference, powered by Tourism Vancouver Island will feature an exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary, Coextinction. Join us on Wednesday, April 13th for this important, thought-provoking film followed by a panel discussion with the directors.
Coextinction follows two female filmmakers as they fight alongside Indigenous leaders and scientists to protect the critically endangered Southern Resident orca, revealing a collapsing ecosystem and the true nature of our interconnectedness. No species goes extinct in isolation. If the orca goes, so go we.
Book Your Conference Accommodation
Stay at the host venue for the Vancouver Island Tourism Conference, Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, and get the most of your conference experience. The group rate begins at $149 per night. Deadline to book is Friday, March 11, 2022.
Led by the Tourism Industry Association of BC, the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat, Destination BC and PacifiCan have partnered on a video series to showcase the value of tourism.
The videos were filmed to increase understanding of tourism as a powerful engine for economic, cultural and social well-being, and describe how tourism benefits every community and region in BC. They are also designed to provide insight into how tourism can be a catalyst for addressing climate change, sustainability, and reconciliation, among other priorities.
Please watch (and share!) the initial videos. You will recognize a number of faces and places from the Vancouver Island region:
New TVI Appointment to Tourism Marketing Committee
Please join us in congratulating Tourism Vancouver Island's Karen Bannister, Director of Destination Marketing, who has been appointed to Destination BC's Tourism Marketing Committee. Karen takes over for our CEO Anthony Everett. Anthony is delighted to pass the baton following his years of service as Karen continues to represent the interests of the tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region.
Our Latest Research
Tourism Vancouver Island continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry in our region through our collaboration with the British Columbia Regional Tourism Secretariat and other partners. Please see the latest Travel Patterns Report to January 23, 2022.
Shawnigan to Boost Connectivity Between Downtown Core & Lake
The latest THRIVE Small Capital project, funded in part by Tourism Vancouver Island, will see four lakeview seating areas, public art, and cycling infrastructure enhance connectivity between Shawnigan Lake’s village centre and nearby lakeshore. This project represents the first phase in a comprehensive plan to develop the village as a complete community, create a vibrant tourism sector, and revitalize the small business core.
