Tourism

The Victoria Conference Centre becomes the second-only biosphere-certified conference centre in North America. (Courtesy of Tourism Victoria)

Victoria home to 2nd biosphere-certified conference centre in North America

Victoria Conference Centre is in alignment with the COP21 Paris Agreement

 

Samatha Brown strolls through Butchart Gardens during the summer of 2023. (File Submitted/ Destination Greater Victoria)

Greater Victoria to be featured destination on popular PBS series

The show will broadcast on PBS across the United States and Canada

 

South Langley resident Patty Kiloh admired the scenery in the B.C. Cariboo region while taking part in the Xeni Gwet’in Youth Wagon Trip late last month. Submitted photo

Desire for light footprint feeds adventure tourism in Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

Back country tourism in the heart of B.C. needs front-country support and understanding: operator

 

The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations decisions on tourism on Indigenous land must be respected: Minister

Martinez Ferrada was in Vancouver announcing the launch of a $10M program

The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Feds in B.C. to pump $10M into Indigenous tourism small business

Funding will also help the Indigenous Tourism Association promote an accreditation program

The federal government has launched a $10-million program to directly supporting small businesses involved in Indigenous tourism across Canada. Unofficially named “The First Sidewalk” a 700-foot walking trail system to promote ecotourism is seen in Bella Bella, B.C., Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Parkings fees could be coming to visitors in Ucluelet, but the town’s municipal council wants to hear local opinions first. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet considering charging tourists a parking fee

Ucluelet is considering following Tofino into charging tourists a fee to park in the community

Parkings fees could be coming to visitors in Ucluelet, but the town’s municipal council wants to hear local opinions first. (Andrew Bailey photo)
While the 2023 cruise ship season set new passenger records in Vancouver and Victoria, Victoria remains what Transportation Minister Rob Fleming calls the “outlier” when it comes to powering docked ships with what insiders call shore-power. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. hopes Ottawa plugs into shore-power project for Victoria cruise ships

Provincial capital remains ‘outlier’ in terms of lacking the ability to power docked ocean liners

While the 2023 cruise ship season set new passenger records in Vancouver and Victoria, Victoria remains what Transportation Minister Rob Fleming calls the “outlier” when it comes to powering docked ships with what insiders call shore-power. (Black Press Media file photo)
Murchie’s customers lined up at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon, with cruise ship season’s end on the horizon. (Samantha Duerksen/BlackPress Media)

‘Take me to the black squirrels’: Victoria cruise tourists set a record

Local shop owners noticed differences in numbers and cruise visitor trends compared to last year

Murchie’s customers lined up at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon, with cruise ship season’s end on the horizon. (Samantha Duerksen/BlackPress Media)
Karlee Friesen introduces one of her many insect friends at work. (The Victoria Bug Zoo/TikTok)

Zoo staffer elevates Victoria #bugsoftiktok with Taylor Swift kitty trend

Swifty kitty trend prompted debate over whether critters outside the cat kingdom qualify

Karlee Friesen introduces one of her many insect friends at work. (The Victoria Bug Zoo/TikTok)
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says interest in B.C. as a tourism destination far exceeds any reputational losses caused by this year’s wildfire season. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Wildfire economic damage to B.C. tourism still being counted: minister

Tourism Minister Lana Popham says interest in B.C. far exceeds reputational damage after wildfires

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says interest in B.C. as a tourism destination far exceeds any reputational losses caused by this year’s wildfire season. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
The Central Okanagan endured weeks without tourism during its peak season because of wildfires and a regional travel ban. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Climate change cost B.C. tourism ‘$100s of millions, never to be recovered’

Provincial, regional tourism leaders are calling for quick, immediate relief after wildfire season

The Central Okanagan endured weeks without tourism during its peak season because of wildfires and a regional travel ban. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The Norwegian Sun cruise ship’s passengers were set to get about a 10-hour stay in Victoria as the vessel docked at Ogden Point on July 18. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Victoria springs for $2.5M to build housing for hospitality workers

Money for 40-unit project comes from special fund

The Norwegian Sun cruise ship’s passengers were set to get about a 10-hour stay in Victoria as the vessel docked at Ogden Point on July 18. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Due to the high fire risk this summer, the final three weekends of fireworks were cancelled at Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay. (Butchart Gardens/Facebook)

State of emergency prompts Butchart Gardens to cancel summer fireworks

Night illuminations will still glow at the Brentwood Bay tourist attraction

Due to the high fire risk this summer, the final three weekends of fireworks were cancelled at Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay. (Butchart Gardens/Facebook)
The Central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia’s premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones. A man sits in the parking lot outside an evacuation centre for those forced from their homes due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Travel ban in parts of B.C. disrupting tourism as raging wildfires burn

‘If you look at the entire 12 months of the year, August is typically the busiest month’

The Central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia’s premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones. A man sits in the parking lot outside an evacuation centre for those forced from their homes due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Sizzlers Fiddle Group members Toben Elder, Malak El Ouadghiri and Noa Paster bring their fiddle tunes to the streets of downtown Victoria several times per week. (Natasha Baldin/News Staff)

VIDEO: Downtown Victoria child buskers earn ice cream money, wow visitors

Busking is alive and well – and not just for tourists

Sizzlers Fiddle Group members Toben Elder, Malak El Ouadghiri and Noa Paster bring their fiddle tunes to the streets of downtown Victoria several times per week. (Natasha Baldin/News Staff)
A lineup of cars travels through the construction work along Highway 4 at Cameron Lake. (Submitted photo)

Survey shows Highway 4 closure cost Tofino-Ucluelet businesses $44M

Scheduled closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday until mid-August

A lineup of cars travels through the construction work along Highway 4 at Cameron Lake. (Submitted photo)
Teaser clips at the end of last week’s Amazing Race Canada episode showed flashes of popular locations around the city, including Craidarroch Castle. (Natasha Baldin/News Staff)

Victoria to be the backdrop of next Amazing Race Canada episode

Check out the local landmarks

Teaser clips at the end of last week’s Amazing Race Canada episode showed flashes of popular locations around the city, including Craidarroch Castle. (Natasha Baldin/News Staff)
Wildwood Sauna user Sam Tyson before pulling the dump bucket of ice cold water on himself at Bilston Creek Farm in Metchosin. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

VIDEO: Wildwood Saunas finds new home at scenic lavender farm in Metchosin

‘Just by the beach and the forest, it’s just very peaceful here.’

Wildwood Sauna user Sam Tyson before pulling the dump bucket of ice cold water on himself at Bilston Creek Farm in Metchosin. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Karen Jean Fralich won first place in the singles event at the 2023 Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Winners declared at Parksville’s international sand sculpting competition

Competitors from Ontario, Victoria capture top prizes

Karen Jean Fralich won first place in the singles event at the 2023 Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Hullo’s high-speed foot-passenger ferries arrived in Nanaimo Harbour on Friday, July 14, and will begin ferrying passengers between Nanaimo and Vancouver in August. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

New Hullo high-speed foot-passenger ferries arrive in Nanaimo

Vancouver Island Ferry Company will start service between Nanaimo and Vancouver in August

Hullo’s high-speed foot-passenger ferries arrived in Nanaimo Harbour on Friday, July 14, and will begin ferrying passengers between Nanaimo and Vancouver in August. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)