PAUL NURSEY
VICTORIA – Destination Greater Victoria recently released the recommendations of the Greater Victoria Hotel Development Working Group. While the report outlines the policies and partnerships needed to close our region’s hotel supply gap, its impacts are not theoretical. They are already visible on our streets.
A few weeks ago, I walked by the 167-room Hyatt Centric hotel under construction on Broad Street in downtown Victoria. Within about a one block radius, there are at least four new small businesses setting up shop, attracted in part by the promise of new out-of-town customers. Among them is a French bakery, opening directly across from the future hotel entrance, which will offer both artisan products and experiential classes for visitors and locals alike. This is a clear example of how hotel development creates momentum by attracting visitors with discretionary spending, supporting local entrepreneurs, and activating neighbourhoods.
The Working Group’s findings reinforce this ripple effect. Hotels are more than places to stay; they are economic anchors that increase foot traffic, strengthen local supply chains, and sustain surrounding businesses, from restaurants and retailers to cultural attractions and service providers.
Greater Victoria is projected to require approximately 2,000 additional hotel rooms over the next decade to meet growing demand from tourism, business travel, and events. Meeting that need will generate meaningful, long-term benefits, including thousands of new jobs, increased visitor spending, and sustained tax revenue that supports public services. The opportunity before us is significant.
However, one of the most compelling cases for hotel development extends beyond economics. Hotels are also critical community infrastructure. They help make communities more vibrant and connected by providing gathering spaces, supporting charitable events, contributing to arts and culture, and serving as venues for conferences and civic activities that define our region.
Importantly, the path forward must be collaborative among municipalities, developers, and First Nations. When policy frameworks are aligned and processes are streamlined, hotel development becomes viable and transformative. Reducing planning and approval timelines, and improving clarity in those processes, specifically at the municipal level, will be key to unlocking further investment and renewal.
What we are seeing today around projects like the Hyatt Centric is just the beginning. With the right approach, hotel development can continue to deliver meaningful, visible benefits for visitors, residents, businesses, and communities across Greater Victoria.
Paul Nursey is the President and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria
