Indigenous tourism

Wahmeesh Ken Watts, left, elected Chief Councillor with Tseshaht First Nation, and Evan Cook, Huu-ay-aht First Nations councillor, on May 11, 2023 announce a partnership between the nations to build a new hotel in the Alberni Valley. (MELISSA BIGMORE PHOTO)

First Nations agree to build first new hotel in Port Alberni since 1980

Huu-ay-aht, Tseshaht Nations partnering with MasterBUILT Hotels to build Microtel hotel

 

The new million dollar boardwalk leading to the natural hot springs in Ahousaht territory was built in partnership with 43K Wilderness Solutions, Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society, and BC Parks. (Keltsmaht Adventures photo)

Ahousaht re-opens Hot Springs near Tofino

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park and Hot Springs is open to the public

 

Sunny days are back again for businesses feeding off Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trail and the other attractions of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim. (John McKinley photo)

`Life is getting back to normal’ for tourism in Tofino/Ucluelet area

Residents remain cautious with COVID as businesses struggle with staffing as visitors flood back

 

Meet some of the new team at Naa’Waiya’Summ Indigenous Coastal Gardens: Tessa Ma, Ian Enns, Miles Steven, and Vania Bowman. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino Botanical Gardens changes hands, MakeWay Canada takes ownership

10-acre property is now an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) Innovation Centre

Meet some of the new team at Naa’Waiya’Summ Indigenous Coastal Gardens: Tessa Ma, Ian Enns, Miles Steven, and Vania Bowman. (Nora O’Malley photo)
One of four totem poles on the corners of a bridge over the Nass River to Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon City) in northwestern British Columbia is seen on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada is making a bleak prediction about its members’ ability to rapidly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel

Pandemic recovery for Indigenous tourism will be slow, says report

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada projects an overall 54 per cent decline since the pandemic

One of four totem poles on the corners of a bridge over the Nass River to Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon City) in northwestern British Columbia is seen on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada is making a bleak prediction about its members’ ability to rapidly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel
Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)

Tseshaht First Nation re-opens Broken Group Islands with refreshed Beach Keepers Program

To help sustain the program, tour operators are encouraged to implement a $10 per day per guest fee

Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)
Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)

Tseshaht First Nation re-opens Broken Group Islands with refreshed Beach Keepers Program

To help sustain the program, tour operators are encouraged to implement a $10 per day per guest fee

Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)
Secret Beach Campground general manager Noah Plonka takes a breather after riding laps around the new dirt pump track. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Toquaht Nation opens Secret Beach Campground and Marina on Vancouver Island

A 45-minute drive from Ucluelet, campground features child-friendly dirt pump track

Secret Beach Campground general manager Noah Plonka takes a breather after riding laps around the new dirt pump track. (Nora O’Malley photo)
This stretch of pathway in front of Long Beach heading northward in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory is now officially open for visitor use. (Parks Canada photo)

VIDEO: Parks Canada partially opens multi-use pathway ʔapsčiik t̓ašii in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Pronounced ups-cheek ta-shee, the name means “going the right way on the path”

This stretch of pathway in front of Long Beach heading northward in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory is now officially open for visitor use. (Parks Canada photo)
The Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours organization, which operates its Bears of Bute Inlet wildlife viewing facility in Orford Bay, will be opening a new Homalco Adventure Centre in Campbell River this spring. Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours

Indigenous tourism hopes to rebound in a big way through new investment

Homalco First Nation to expand operations by opening new Adventure Centre in Campbell River

  • Mar 21, 2021
The Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours organization, which operates its Bears of Bute Inlet wildlife viewing facility in Orford Bay, will be opening a new Homalco Adventure Centre in Campbell River this spring. Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours
Cecilia Dick, cultural tourism supervisor for the Songhees Nation, stands at the top of Beacon Hill Loop in Meeqan, one of 12 significant cultural sites along the new Songhees Indigenous Marine Trail. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Songhees marine trail celebrates living history of Greater Victoria’s Indigenous people

Provincial funding boosts 12-stop marine tourism program set to open in 2022

Cecilia Dick, cultural tourism supervisor for the Songhees Nation, stands at the top of Beacon Hill Loop in Meeqan, one of 12 significant cultural sites along the new Songhees Indigenous Marine Trail. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Visitors relax at the natural hot springs located within Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. (tofinohiking.com photo)

Maquinna Marine Provincial Park boardwalk project on track

“The walk down the two-kilometre boardwalk to the springs itself is by far one of the most incredible experiences.”

Visitors relax at the natural hot springs located within Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. (tofinohiking.com photo)
Explore one of BC’s best-known regions along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

3 New Ways to Explore Vancouver and the Sea-to-Sky

See familiar places with fresh eyes

  • Jul 13, 2020
Explore one of BC’s best-known regions along the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
Discover scenery that stirs the soul throughout BC, including the Sunshine Coast Trail. Andrew Strain photo.

Rediscover Coastal Culture and Wild Landscapes on BC’s West Coast

No matter how many times you experience it, the dramatic coastal scenery stirs the soul

  • Jul 13, 2020
Discover scenery that stirs the soul throughout BC, including the Sunshine Coast Trail. Andrew Strain photo.