For the second year in a row, reviewers on TripAdvisor.ca have picked the Royal B.C. Museum as the best museum in Canada, topping a list that includes the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver and the Royal Ontario Museum.
The top museums are based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for museums gathered during a 12-month period. The Royal B.C. Museum is recognized as the overall winner in the 2015 TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards.
“To be declared the best museum in Canada for a second year in a row is obviously a huge honour for us and we’re truly delighted,” said Scott Cooper, vice president of collections, knowledge and engagement.
“And to know the accolade really comes from our visitors, and not by jury, makes it all the more meaningful.”
The museum welcomes almost one million visitors every year and another two million online. In a visitor survey conducted in August, 56 per cent said the museum was a factor in their decision to come to Victoria. Forty-seven per cent of summer visitors were from out of province.
The Royal B.C. Museum explores the province’s human and natural history, and is also getting set to host the Gold Rush Film Festival.
In partnership with the Victoria Film Festival and Vic Theatre, the museum will show one feature length and three short documentary films made by B.C. filmmakers. The films are related to the gold rushes, but from new perspectives, including those of First Nations and Chinese immigrants.
The festival begins next Friday and runs a second day on Saturday, Sept. 26.