Re: Tourism should showcase the region editorial (Our View, Aug. 28)
Speaking together as a destination gives us a stronger voice. As the Greater Victoria Visitors and Convention Bureau, known as Tourism Victoria, we provide a voice for more than 700 business members, linking the entire region together when promoting our destination worldwide.
Greater Victoria is a unique destination and each municipality offers visitors an incomparable and diverse experience. Whether it is promoting wine tasting on the Saanich Peninsula, encouraging visitors to explore the west coast wilderness at our doorstep, investing in festivals and regional sporting events, or showing off our beautiful Inner Harbour, Tourism Victoria promotes the entire destination.
Our destination promotion includes a variety of tactics, including our current Community Spotlights feature. The Community Spotlight brings each region to the forefront of our sales and marketing efforts, communicating to our consumers the breadth and depth of the region’s exceptional offerings.
With funding support from the Victoria Hotel Destination Marketing Association, Tourism Victoria invests in festivals and events that revitalize our destination. Most recently, the Victoria International Buskers Festival, Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon and Rugby Canada Championships saw Greater Victoria buzzing with activity.
Tourism Victoria’s mission is to inspire the world to experience our destination. Extending length of stay and increasing the economic impact of each visitor is critical to our success.
Our strategic plan, available on our website, outlines how we will achieve our mission.
Success hinges on collaborative efforts, working across municipal borders and sectors. Our organization’s work is not defined by a municipality’s name; it is defined by the unique visitor experiences our destination offers.
We are grateful to all Greater Victoria municipalities for their support, be it through their membership in Tourism Victoria or their own efforts in supporting and promoting tourism within the region.
Tourism is an estimated $1.9 billion industry in Greater Victoria through direct, indirect and induced spending. We all have the same goal - ensuring the success of tourism as an economic driver throughout Greater Victoria.
By aligning our collective efforts, Greater Victoria municipalities and businesses are all contributing to a stronger voice for our destination.
Dave Cowen, Chair
Greater Victoria Visitors & Convention Bureau/Tourism Victoria