Tourism

B.C. hopes to attract marquee events and conferences to boost the tourism economy. (File photo)

B.C. announces further supports to revitalize tourism economy

Funding aimed at attracting events, conferences and training workers

B.C. hopes to attract marquee events and conferences to boost the tourism economy. (File photo)
The Port of Nanaimo’s cruise ship berth will remain empty for the 2022 cruise season. The port is working to recapture cruise business in 2023-24. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

No cruise ships scheduled to come to Nanaimo this year

Vancouver and Victoria anticipate busy cruise season, Nanaimo looking to next year and beyond

The Port of Nanaimo’s cruise ship berth will remain empty for the 2022 cruise season. The port is working to recapture cruise business in 2023-24. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance announced the Fraser River Discovery Centre will receive $150,000 from the federal Tourism Relief Fund on March 10, 2022. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)

VIDEO: Federal tourism relief fund begins rolling out to B.C. operators

The Fraser River Discovery Centre was the first B.C. organization to receive funding

Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance announced the Fraser River Discovery Centre will receive $150,000 from the federal Tourism Relief Fund on March 10, 2022. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)
Destination Greater Victoria is investing $2.2 million in 2022 to entice more visitors to come to the region. Black Press Media file photo

Destination Greater Victoria ramps up tourism marketing spend with $2.2 million campaign

Tourism association going all in for 2022 to attract more visitors to region

Destination Greater Victoria is investing $2.2 million in 2022 to entice more visitors to come to the region. Black Press Media file photo
Destination Greater Victoria is investing $2.2 million in 2022 to entice more visitors to come to the region. (Black Press Media file photo)

Destination Greater Victoria ramps up tourism marketing spend with $2.2 million campaign

Tourism association going all in for 2022 to attract more visitors to region

Destination Greater Victoria is investing $2.2 million in 2022 to entice more visitors to come to the region. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ethel Bell, co-founder of Three Valley Gap, was also a very talented musician and an athlete who loved playing football. (Contributed by Rene Bell Bourget)

‘She will be missed’: Ethel Bell, co-founder of Three Valley Gap hotel, dies at 88

Bell and her late husband, Gordon Bell, built the Three Valley Lake Chateau in the 1950’s

Ethel Bell, co-founder of Three Valley Gap, was also a very talented musician and an athlete who loved playing football. (Contributed by Rene Bell Bourget)
Plans are underway for a project that would see a gondola built near Vernon, climbing 1,600 feet above Kalamalka Lake. (Ridge North America photo)

Gondola proposed in the Okanagan overlooking Kalamalka Lake

The Okanagan Gondola, a project by developers of Golden Skybridge, is pending approval from the RDNO

Plans are underway for a project that would see a gondola built near Vernon, climbing 1,600 feet above Kalamalka Lake. (Ridge North America photo)
Pierre’s Echo Bay Lodge & Marina on Gilford Island was sold back in 2021 to the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation. (Pierre’s Facebook)

New support for North Island tourism project expected to attract visitors: MLA

Echo Bay in the Discovery Islands get grant of $109,785

Pierre’s Echo Bay Lodge & Marina on Gilford Island was sold back in 2021 to the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation. (Pierre’s Facebook)
The West Coast Women’s Show is among numerous events held annually at Tradex in Abbotsford. A local residents’ group is planning to submit a bid for the operation of the facility that would include continuing to hold trade and consumer shows. (Abbotsford News file photo)

B.C. tourism, events industry receives $9.3M in government supports

Funds intended to support new tourism workers, restart conferences and business events

The West Coast Women’s Show is among numerous events held annually at Tradex in Abbotsford. A local residents’ group is planning to submit a bid for the operation of the facility that would include continuing to hold trade and consumer shows. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Tyler Bruce (l-r) and Stephen Gabrysh, of Campbell River Whale Watching, with Wayne Garton and Heike Garton, of Discovery Marine Safaris. Photo courtesy Campbell River Adventure Tours Group.

Two Campbell River whale watching companies announce merger

Campbell River Whale Watching and Discovery Marine Safaris competitors no longer

Tyler Bruce (l-r) and Stephen Gabrysh, of Campbell River Whale Watching, with Wayne Garton and Heike Garton, of Discovery Marine Safaris. Photo courtesy Campbell River Adventure Tours Group.
Still Standing host Jonny Harris at the beach. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)

Wide range of reaction to Still Standing program on Chemainus

Chemainus Theatre cited as a significant omission by many

Still Standing host Jonny Harris at the beach. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)
Still Standing host Jonny Harris strolls through Chemainus last summer, with the Native Heritage mural in the background, while filming a segment on the community for the program that airs Jan. 26 on CBC. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)

Chemainus on the Still Standing show schedule for Jan. 26

Season 7 shooting provided many challenges due to COVID

Still Standing host Jonny Harris strolls through Chemainus last summer, with the Native Heritage mural in the background, while filming a segment on the community for the program that airs Jan. 26 on CBC. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)
People wear face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 while visiting the Christmas Market in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

FINLAYSON: B.C.’s economy has largely healed, thankfully

Over the last 18 months, overall economic production has rebounded, writes Jock Finlayson

  • Dec 24, 2021
People wear face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 while visiting the Christmas Market in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The canoe created by John Marston and Moy Sutherland hangs in the rafters of the gift shop and cafe at the Malahat Skywalk. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Master carver Marston’s work graces Malahat Skywalk

Canoe, sculpture indicative of the region’s culture displayed prominently at the tourist facility

The canoe created by John Marston and Moy Sutherland hangs in the rafters of the gift shop and cafe at the Malahat Skywalk. (Photo by Don Bodger)
(Canadian Press photo)

Travel, tourism sectors see glimmers of hope amid Omicron uncertainty

Many Canadians second-guessing their travel plans as information trickles out about Omicron

(Canadian Press photo)
Examples of new City of Colwood wayfinding signage were shared in a recent presentation to council. (Courtesy of Cygnus Design Group/City of Colwood)

Colwood developing neighbourhood wayfinding strategy

Unified signage design, implementation aims to help visitors and residents navigate city

Examples of new City of Colwood wayfinding signage were shared in a recent presentation to council. (Courtesy of Cygnus Design Group/City of Colwood)
A cruise ship docked at the Victoria Cruise Ship Terminal at Ogden Point. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority announced its draft 2022 arrivals schedule on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)

Victoria’s 2022 cruise passenger counts projected to return to pre-pandemic levels

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority expects close to 760,000 passengers to arrive next year

A cruise ship docked at the Victoria Cruise Ship Terminal at Ogden Point. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority announced its draft 2022 arrivals schedule on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)

B.C. ski resorts prepare for holiday cancellations due to highway closures

Big White ski resort said over 70 holiday bookings have already been cancelled

(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Westerly file photo

Tofino resorts pitch new tourist fee, oppose plan to spend on sewage treatment

Concerns raised by Tourism Industry Association of B.C. and the British Columbia Hotel Association

Westerly file photo
2018’s first-place winner in the sand-sculpting solo division was Peter Vogelaar’s ‘Hendrix Live - Wild Thing’. (Photo courtesy Parksville Beach Festival)

Sand sculpting time: Parksville Beach Festival expected to return in 2022

Event typically attracts visitor count of 125,000 during five-week period

2018’s first-place winner in the sand-sculpting solo division was Peter Vogelaar’s ‘Hendrix Live - Wild Thing’. (Photo courtesy Parksville Beach Festival)