Tourism

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)
Tourism Tofino is hoping to spread the town’s tourism revenue beyond the summer months. Westerly file photo

Tourism Tofino targets offseason traffic boost

The goal is to reach a 69 per cent average occupancy between October and May by 2027

Tourism Tofino is hoping to spread the town’s tourism revenue beyond the summer months. Westerly file photo
Skiers stands at the top of Big White ski resort in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. Canadian ski resorts, including Big White, that rely on Canada’s backlogged visa approval service are facing a labour shortage this season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Canadian ski resorts face labour shortage, government slow to issue working visas

“We’ll start panicking around Nov. 1 if nothing changes because there’s just not enough Canadians…”

Skiers stands at the top of Big White ski resort in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Jan. 26, 2007. Canadian ski resorts, including Big White, that rely on Canada’s backlogged visa approval service are facing a labour shortage this season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
The Tree to Sea loop is a 1,000 km bikepacking route around the north end of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Miles Arbor

1,000 km route opens northern Vancouver Island to bikepackers

Bikepacking combines ultralight backpacking and bicycle touring

The Tree to Sea loop is a 1,000 km bikepacking route around the north end of Vancouver Island. Photo courtesy Miles Arbor
Victoria Coun. Jeremy Loveday said volunteers will be needed to assist the hosting of 2022 55+ BC Games. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

2022 55+ BC Games coming to Victoria

Organizers, participants speak to urgent need for sponsors, volunteers and accommodations

Victoria Coun. Jeremy Loveday said volunteers will be needed to assist the hosting of 2022 55+ BC Games. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Sooke bed-and-breakfast owner Gerry Esselink was surprised to learn he was awarded top prize for the most hospitable hosts in B.C. by Airbnb. (Contributed - Gerry Esselink)

Sooke Airbnb host top in B.C.

Sooke Cedar House received the most positive reviews of any Airbnb in Canada

Sooke bed-and-breakfast owner Gerry Esselink was surprised to learn he was awarded top prize for the most hospitable hosts in B.C. by Airbnb. (Contributed - Gerry Esselink)
The Norwegian Bliss en route from Alaska to Seattle makes it's way towards Ogden Point in Victoria, B.C., on Friday June 1, 2018. Two U.S. bills proposed by a congressman and senator aimed at allowing Alaskan-bound cruise ships to bypass Canadian ports would have a "devastating" affect on British Columbia's economy, the head of Victoria's harbour authority says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Alaska cruise ship bill would have ‘devastating’ economic impact: B.C. port official

Under proposed legislation, large foreign cruise ships can bypass Canadian ports

The Norwegian Bliss en route from Alaska to Seattle makes it's way towards Ogden Point in Victoria, B.C., on Friday June 1, 2018. Two U.S. bills proposed by a congressman and senator aimed at allowing Alaskan-bound cruise ships to bypass Canadian ports would have a "devastating" affect on British Columbia's economy, the head of Victoria's harbour authority says. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Clipper Vacations resumes its Seattle to Victoria passenger ferry service on Friday (Sept. 17), for U.S.-based passengers. (Clipper Vacations/Facebook)

Victoria Clipper ferries visitors to town for first time in 18 months

Company resumes weekend service for U.S.-based passengers Sept. 17

Clipper Vacations resumes its Seattle to Victoria passenger ferry service on Friday (Sept. 17), for U.S.-based passengers. (Clipper Vacations/Facebook)
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
Stephane Prevost, a Banff restaurateur, poses in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Tourism destinations brace for busy winter without usual supply of foreign workers

Uncertainty around COVID-19 has kept some potential resort staffers from moving to Canada

Stephane Prevost, a Banff restaurateur, poses in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
The Sidney-to-Anacortes ferry service, long a symbol of regional ties to the Pacific Northwest, won’t run until spring 2022 due to COVID-19. Sidney author and global analyst Michael Bociurkiw predicts negative consequences for the region if budget pressures lead to the service’s end. (Black Press Media File)

Sidney author laments weakening ties with Pacific Northwest, Asia

Michael Bociurkiw predicts region will continue to attract new domestic arrivals

The Sidney-to-Anacortes ferry service, long a symbol of regional ties to the Pacific Northwest, won’t run until spring 2022 due to COVID-19. Sidney author and global analyst Michael Bociurkiw predicts negative consequences for the region if budget pressures lead to the service’s end. (Black Press Media File)
Crowds check out some of the classic cars on display at the 2018 Oak Bay Collector Car Show. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay car show makes triumphant return to The Avenue

Auto enthusiasts can mark Sept. 12 on the calendar

Crowds check out some of the classic cars on display at the 2018 Oak Bay Collector Car Show. (Black Press Media file photo)
Britanny Vis, executive director of the Maritime Museum of BC, at their new location on Douglas Street. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Maritime Museum of BC opening to public at new downtown Victoria location

The space – currently featuring an exhibit on the SS Valencia shipwreck – can be rented for events

Britanny Vis, executive director of the Maritime Museum of BC, at their new location on Douglas Street. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
B.C. Premier John Horgan said on June 3 that COVID-19 restrictions won't be eased regionally, “If people want to book arrangements at their favourite place in B.C, you can certainly do that now, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get there,” Horgan said. (NEWS file photo)

FINLAYSON: Time for a ‘health check’ on the tourism industry as summer winds down

To revive the economy, this piece in the strategy is integral, writes Jock Finlayson

  • Aug 26, 2021
B.C. Premier John Horgan said on June 3 that COVID-19 restrictions won't be eased regionally, “If people want to book arrangements at their favourite place in B.C, you can certainly do that now, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get there,” Horgan said. (NEWS file photo)
An artist’s rendering of a nine-storey Courtyard by Marriott hotel at 100 Gordon St. (PEG Companies image)

Management company announced for Nanaimo’s conference centre hotel

Hotel Equities will manage Courtyard by Marriott, slated to open in the second quarter of 2022

An artist’s rendering of a nine-storey Courtyard by Marriott hotel at 100 Gordon St. (PEG Companies image)
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member Timmy Masso set up a blockade at West Main Forest Service Road in an effort to prevent disrespectful visitors from further destroying the area. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tourist blockade at Tofino-Ucluelet backroads held peacefully

Ucluelet RCMP confirm zero reports of violence or confrontation

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member Timmy Masso set up a blockade at West Main Forest Service Road in an effort to prevent disrespectful visitors from further destroying the area. (Andrew Bailey photo)
A river otter came out of the water to explore the neighbourhood near Victoria Harbour on Aug. 9. (Courtesy of Carly Nagtegaal)

VIDEO: Why did the otter cross the road in Victoria?

Seven-year-old boy spots otter frolicking in the grass near Victoria Harbour

A river otter came out of the water to explore the neighbourhood near Victoria Harbour on Aug. 9. (Courtesy of Carly Nagtegaal)