The business community in Lake Cowichan will soon be bringing tourist information directly to the tourists.
The Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce is embarking on a unique project to create a Mobile Visitor Service Unit – a self-contained kiosk that can be deployed to the many events and activities around the region, providing information about the amenities and hospitality options in the area.
The Island Coastal Economic Trust is supporting this project with one-third of the $90,000 cost.
The mobile visitor centre, which is expected to make its debut on July 1, will supplement the services that are available at the visitor information centre in Lake Cowichan and capitalize on the tens of thousands of new visitors that the new major outdoor concert venue is attracting to the region.
“This is an innovative project that shows the value in thinking “outside the box” when it comes to economic development in small communities,” said Phil Kent, ICET chair.
“By enabling valuable face-to-face conversations with visitors in strategic locations, the mobile centre presents a great opportunity to promote the region to a wider audience.”
The unit will consist of a trailer, wrapped in customized graphics, and an interior built to hold display materials, info stations, and more.
The mobile unit will feature mobile technology to showcase local and regional attractions and will be stocked full of the usual information that visitors expect to find at a visitor information centre, including visitor guides and region maps.
“Our visitor centre had more than 42,000 people come through last year, but we know that at least 50,000 more people were in the area for events,” said Jim Humphrey, president of the chamber of commerce.
“From Sunfest, Youbou Regatta, sporting events, and more, these are major attractors for visitors, and this new mobile kiosk will allow us to interact with those people directly, supporting our tourism industry.”
The project is also expected to strengthen the tourism sector by increasing visitor stays and increasing revenues for local businesses, as well as increasing business opportunities for local hospitality and tourism providers.