Tourism

Chemainus Festival of Murals Society president Tom Andrews displays the Chemainus Dollars $10 bill with the same scene on it as The Native Heritage mural. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Dollars revert to being strictly souvenirs on April 5

Unique currency spendable in Chemainus becoming a collectible only

 

The popular summer Parksville Beach Festival has been cancelled again for the second year in a row. (PQB News file photo)

COVID-19: Parksville’s popular summer sandcastle event cancelled for 2nd straight year

Ongoing pandemic concerns force Parksville Beach Festival board to plan for 2022

 

The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) sent out a sharply worded release late last week, in which it noted that the Tourism Industry Association of BC recently obtained a ‘legal opinion’ on the matter (Alex Passini photo)

Hotel associations push back against any potential ban on inter-provincial, non-essential travel restrictions

B.C. Premier John Horgan is seeking legal advice on banning non-essential travel

 

The new Malahat Skywalk is expected to be completed by this summer. (Submitted graphic)

Malahat Skywalk expected to be complete by this summer

$15-million project will see 650-metre elevated wooden pathway constructed

The new Malahat Skywalk is expected to be completed by this summer. (Submitted graphic)
Hotel Zed in Tofino. (Westerly file photo)

Tofino council opposes new liquor licence for Hotel Zed

Liquor primary licence application looks like a long shot for Tofino’s newest hotel.

Hotel Zed in Tofino. (Westerly file photo)
(Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)

B.C. tourism industry welcomes relief funding, but some businesses still need reprieve

Until travel restrictions lift, the tourism industry will still face continued struggle, industry says

  • Dec 24, 2020
(Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)
A trail along Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, southeast of Kelowna. Photo: Tourism BC

OPINION: Hoping for broader support and better days ahead for tourism sector

Now as we turn the page on 2020, there is room for optimism

  • Dec 22, 2020
A trail along Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, southeast of Kelowna. Photo: Tourism BC
Susie Grynol, president of the Hotel Association of Canada, speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 30, 2018. The tourism industry was generally pleased this week about news that Ottawa would offer relief for the struggling sector, with the exception of Canada’s major airlines, which are still waiting for more targeted aid. “The industry was at a breaking point, and there were some very important measures in the Fall Economic Statement yesterday that will provide a deeper level of support for this industry,” said Susie Grynol, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Tourism industry has mixed reaction to government aid measures

The government’s plan included specific measures for airports, such as rent relief

Susie Grynol, president of the Hotel Association of Canada, speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 30, 2018. The tourism industry was generally pleased this week about news that Ottawa would offer relief for the struggling sector, with the exception of Canada’s major airlines, which are still waiting for more targeted aid. “The industry was at a breaking point, and there were some very important measures in the Fall Economic Statement yesterday that will provide a deeper level of support for this industry,” said Susie Grynol, president and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Tourists are being asked to postpone their non-essential trips to Tofino as COVID-19 cases rise across Vancouver Island, but at least one accommodation provider is offering conflicting messaging. (Westerly file photo)

Victoria woman says Tofino Airbnb host encouraged travel despite provincial restrictions

“The only way I would get a refund is if she would be able to rebook the suite for that weekend.”

Tourists are being asked to postpone their non-essential trips to Tofino as COVID-19 cases rise across Vancouver Island, but at least one accommodation provider is offering conflicting messaging. (Westerly file photo)
Tourism Tofino’s Cox Bay visitor centre won VIREB’s Best Institutional Building and Judges Choice award this year. (Tourism Tofino photo)

Tourism Tofino celebrates success at VIREB awards

Tourism Tofino was a big winner at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards

Tourism Tofino’s Cox Bay visitor centre won VIREB’s Best Institutional Building and Judges Choice award this year. (Tourism Tofino photo)
Crew photo with four mega bags and a necklace of abandoned buoys. (Jack Plant photo)

Remote B.C. tourism lodge staffed for coastal clean up instead of wilderness tours

The Great Bear Rainforest is home to exotic wildlife — and international trash

Crew photo with four mega bags and a necklace of abandoned buoys. (Jack Plant photo)
Kennedy Lake is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, but more resources are needed to make sure those visiting the area are respecting their surroundings. (Westerly file photo)

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation says more resources needed to keep Tribal Parks open during pandemic

Tribal Park Allies program needs more buy-in from Tofino businesses.

Kennedy Lake is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, but more resources are needed to make sure those visiting the area are respecting their surroundings. (Westerly file photo)
Tofino locals stepped up to support several tourists whose vehicles were vandalized on Sept. 10. (Juhelle Stephens photo)

Tourists’ vehicles vandalized in Tofino

Community steps up to support visitors.

Tofino locals stepped up to support several tourists whose vehicles were vandalized on Sept. 10. (Juhelle Stephens photo)
Ucluelet residents Dan and Jessica Rutherford were shocked to find the ‘Locks of Love’ fence at Wally Creek along Hwy. 4 covered with disposable face masks, plastic gloves and a hoard of other unwanted litter while driving into town on August 30. Read about it on page 8. (Dan Rutherford photo)

‘Locks of Love’ fence near Tofino-Ucluelet consumed with litter

Shocking display of environmental disrespect at Wally Creek.

Ucluelet residents Dan and Jessica Rutherford were shocked to find the ‘Locks of Love’ fence at Wally Creek along Hwy. 4 covered with disposable face masks, plastic gloves and a hoard of other unwanted litter while driving into town on August 30. Read about it on page 8. (Dan Rutherford photo)
The view of Cox Bay Beach from the Maltby Road entrance, any given day in August. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino residents pumped up by perceived lack of bylaw enforcement

“Bylaw hours should reflect the influx of visitors weekends and holidays.”

The view of Cox Bay Beach from the Maltby Road entrance, any given day in August. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Mural project in Chemainus has long garnered international attention, but the Festival of Murals Society isn’t interested in trying to stage an international project in 2021. (Photo by Art Carlyle)

Mural founder’s project proposal rejected by Society

Chemainus Festival of Murals deems the time isn’t right for such a massive undertaking

Mural project in Chemainus has long garnered international attention, but the Festival of Murals Society isn’t interested in trying to stage an international project in 2021. (Photo by Art Carlyle)
Carver Ryan Villiers puts finishing touches on the lifelike chainsaw carving of John J. Rambo (played by Sylvester Stallone) before it was installed at Hope’s Memorial Park Aug. 14, 2020. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)

Sylvester Stallone gives shout-out to new Rambo chainsaw carving in Hope, B.C.

Sylvester Stallone, the star behind John J. Rambo, “very proud” of newly installed red cedar work

Carver Ryan Villiers puts finishing touches on the lifelike chainsaw carving of John J. Rambo (played by Sylvester Stallone) before it was installed at Hope’s Memorial Park Aug. 14, 2020. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)
Masked up to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Ucluelet’s Ellen Kimoto holds an apology letter she received from two tourists who trespassed on her Spring Cove property last month. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet senior grateful after trespassers apologize

“It gave me some of my dignity back,” said Ellen Kimoto of Spring Cove.

Masked up to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Ucluelet’s Ellen Kimoto holds an apology letter she received from two tourists who trespassed on her Spring Cove property last month. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Crystal Cove Beach Resort has been named Tripadvisors top family resort in Canada for the second year in a row. (Photo from Tripadvisor.ca)

Tofino’s Crystal Cove crowned top family destination for second year in a row

TripAdvisor has announced the recipients of its Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards.

Crystal Cove Beach Resort has been named Tripadvisors top family resort in Canada for the second year in a row. (Photo from Tripadvisor.ca)
West Coast Aquatic Safaris delivers ‘almost live’ footage of a whale tour to a group of Easter Seals campers on July 22. (West Coast Aquatic Safaris photo)

West Coast company brings virtual whale watching experience to youth with disabilities

About 40 Easter Seals BC/Yukon children, youth and adults with disabilities were…

West Coast Aquatic Safaris delivers ‘almost live’ footage of a whale tour to a group of Easter Seals campers on July 22. (West Coast Aquatic Safaris photo)