Tourism

A cruise ship docked at the Victoria Cruise Ship Terminal at Ogden Point. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has announced its draft 2022 arrivals schedule. (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

 

(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

 

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

 

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
Sooke Cedar House is tucked away off Sooke Road and overlooks English gardens complete with fountains, arbours, and ponds. (Contributed - Airbnb)

Vancouver Island Airbnb host ranked top in the province

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

Sooke Cedar House is tucked away off Sooke Road and overlooks English gardens complete with fountains, arbours, and ponds. (Contributed - Airbnb)
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 the Island 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
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)
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)

Teen’s blockade of Tofino-Ucluelet backroads to tourists underway peacefully

Ucluelet RCMP confirm zero reports of confrontation as stand made against ongoing litter, fires

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)
Timmy Masso is setting up a blockade at West Main Forest Service Road on Tuesday to prevent areas like this from being destroyed by disrespect. (Photo courtesy of Timmy Masso)

First Nations teen set to block destructive tourists from Tofino-Ucluelet wilderness area

“I will be shutting off that road starting at 4 pm today”

Timmy Masso is setting up a blockade at West Main Forest Service Road on Tuesday to prevent areas like this from being destroyed by disrespect. (Photo courtesy of Timmy Masso)
An empty supermarket inside the mall building. (Binny Paul/Terrace Standard)

Northern B.C.’s famed abandoned town preserved in time awaits its turn

Kitsault’s owner Krishnan Suthanthiran still interested in his plans for a dedicated energy corridor

An empty supermarket inside the mall building. (Binny Paul/Terrace Standard)
Here’s Jonny, the one and only Jonny Harris on stage in Chemainus. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)

Chemainus depicted in all its glory for Still Standing

TV program brings unlimited benefits to featured communities

Here’s Jonny, the one and only Jonny Harris on stage in Chemainus. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)
View of the Malahat Skywalk’s Welcome Centre & Gathering Place, which has ticket sales, a cafe and a gift shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

VIDEO: Unique Malahat SkyWalk wows opening day visitors

Tourist facility combines nature-based tourism with a cultural tourism experience

View of the Malahat Skywalk’s Welcome Centre & Gathering Place, which has ticket sales, a cafe and a gift shop. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Canadian flags are seen on the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council as tourists take photos on Parliament Hill before Canada Day, in Ottawa on June 27, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Feds launch tourism fund to help tourism businesses avoid spiral of debt, Joly says

Even as restrictions ease, Minister Mélanie Joly says tourism operators feel some anxiety

Canadian flags are seen on the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council as tourists take photos on Parliament Hill before Canada Day, in Ottawa on June 27, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The empty streets of Banff are seen as Parks Canada is restricting vehicles in the national parks and national historic sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Banff, Alta., Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Even as Alberta plans to drop nearly all COVID-19 restrictions on July 1st, local businesses and the Banff National Park’s tourism board say they’ll be sorely missing international tourists for a second peak summer season in a row. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Banff is packed, but lack of international visitors leaves many businesses struggling

Real change for the sector will come only when borders are opened

The empty streets of Banff are seen as Parks Canada is restricting vehicles in the national parks and national historic sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Banff, Alta., Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Even as Alberta plans to drop nearly all COVID-19 restrictions on July 1st, local businesses and the Banff National Park’s tourism board say they’ll be sorely missing international tourists for a second peak summer season in a row. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Restaurant patrons enjoy the weather on a patio in Vancouver, B.C., on April 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Labour shortages, closed borders major obstacles to B.C. restaurant, tourism restarts

Industry expert says it won’t start to recover until international travellers can visit

Restaurant patrons enjoy the weather on a patio in Vancouver, B.C., on April 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Health-care workers wait for airline passengers at a COVID-19 testing centre at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Travel quarantine rules set to ease for fully vaxed Canadians, permanent residents

Business groups welcomed the proposed change, still calling for a clear restart plan

Health-care workers wait for airline passengers at a COVID-19 testing centre at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz