Every Visitor Counts by DGV

In this episode, host Astrid Chang speaks with Destination Greater Victoria CEO Paul Nursey, and co-founder of Pelan Hospitality, Madone Pelan, about Greater Victoria’s hotel capacity - something thataffects travellers, businesses, and residents alike. Hear why planning for the right amount of visitoraccommodation is critical to sustaining a healthy tourism economy and a thriving community.

This episode explores the power of arts and culture as part of Greater Victoria’s visitoreconomy. Hear why arts programming is not just something residents love, but an importantdriver of overnight visitation, especially in shoulder and off-peak seasons.

Destination Greater Victoria excels in pitching storylines that resonate with audiences both in key markets and worldwide. Hear about the powerful impact of Samantha Brown's "Places to Love" on one local business, highlighting how storytelling and strategic media placement can provide many benefits.Learn more at destinationgreatervictoria.com

Beyond the usual hustle and bustle of vacationers lies a strategic engine that powers Greater Victoria's visitor economy year-round - meetings, conferences, and business events. These aren’t just large get-togethers; they are vital in filling our hotels and local eateries, and keeping small and medium sized businesses afloat, especially during the off-peak seasons.

The Hawaii Martin Mars Water Bomber is an icon of British Columbia’s aviation history. With the advocacy and support from Destination Greater Victoria, the aircraft has landed a permanent spot at the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich – an attraction on Greater Victoria’s Saanich peninsula that attracts some 20,000 guests a year.

Destination Greater Victoria is first and foremost a destination marketing organization. Since 1974, campaigns have been creative, bold and exciting. They have showcased the best of the region and highlighted what makes our corner of the world stand out. They’ve encouraged people to visit for the first time, and they’ve given them a reason to return.  In 2023, Victoria was named the Best City in the World by Conde Nast Traveller’s discerning readers. So, what does it take to have brand recognition as a top destination?

In-person sporting events provide people with an opportunity to gather together and share exciting experiences. We travel in large numbers to watch competitions and cheer for our favourite teams – and as a result, sport tourism has become a major economic driver in the overall visitor economy.

Greater Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. We rely on airlines and ferries to bring people to the region. For visitors, the journey is often part of the charm of getting here. Whether flying into Victoria International Airport or travelling to the region by ferry, the views of the coastline on approach are spectacular. Maintaining seamless access to the region that meets the evolving needs of residents and tourists is vital to a vibrant visitor economy.

A great place to live is a great place to visit. In this episode, our conversation focuses on how, over time, the tourism board has woven environmental responsibility and sustainability into every aspect of its work.

Tourism doesn’t just happen. It takes visionary leaders, community champions and brave officials to come together and boost a visitor economy in a responsible way. In this episode we focus on the behind the scenes work of the tourism board, specifically looking at the story of Victoria’s Belleville Terminal. For decades, the redevelopment of the Belleville Terminal has been a priority file for Destination Greater Victoria and the broader community. Find out why, and what it took to get the redevelopment project underway.

From humble beginnings to #1 city in the world as voted by Conde Nast Traveler’s discerning readers in 2023, Greater Victoria has always been a destination of choice. Hear from the organization’s first president and a local historian to understand how the ebb and flow of the region allowed for tourism to grow into a vibrant and vital industry.

Coming Soon!Follow/Subscribe for updates on our first episode!Every Visitor Counts. A podcast by Destination Greater Victoria.