PAUL NURSEY
VICTORIA – With the pandemic now firmly in our rear-view mirror, Greater Victoria as a destination is continuing to bounce back in ways that are strengthening the long-term health of our tourism sector while also spurring investment in major projects that benefit everyone who lives in our beautiful region.
The data compiled by Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) speaks volumes: visitor numbers are up four per cent this year, hotel occupancy is up seven per cent, and commercial accommodation occupancy remains strong across all seasons and the economic contribution of tourism continues to grow. Greater Victoria has firmly established itself as a year-round destination, with a brand recognized internationally and a cohesive strategy that is clearly delivering results.
This sustained success has brought confidence and investment in our destination reflected in numerous exciting projects currently underway. Just last week, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 167-room hotel on Broad Street in downtown Victoria. Another 130-room hotel is expected to open at Victoria International Airport later this year, and several other hotel developments are being proposed in the region. These properties will be welcome additions to our hotel inventory as DGV’s Destination Master Plan released last year identified a need for 2,000 new hotel rooms over the next 10 years.
Beyond accommodations, the airport has recently shared its intent to accelerate expansion plans, the Belleville Terminal is advancing steadily, and other strategic investments are coming.
In addition to helping Greater Victoria remain competitive as it bids to attract large events to the region, these projects will also greatly benefit local residents. The new downtown hotel for instance will bring much needed activity and additional vibrancy to the area, with a ground-floor cafe and restaurant to be enjoyed by all. As these projects help Greater Victoria attract additional tourists and conferences, those increasing visitor numbers will in turn give developers the confidence to make additional investments in the accommodation and transportation infrastructure that support our visitor economy.
Thanks to our long-term vision, master plan and decision-making that incorporates the input and insights of our members and stakeholders, DGV and most of its nearly 1,000 member businesses have rebounded from COVID stronger and faster than anyone imagined. As our growing visitor economy continues to attract exciting investments, I look forward to seeing how the next chapter of our visitor economy and the region itself takes shape.
Paul Nursey is the President and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria
