Tourism Victoria's Latest News

NEW Victoria Video!

2010-01-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

Tourism Victoria has created a new Destination Video.

To check it out go to www.youtube.com/tourismvictoriabc

While your there be sure to take a look at the time-lapse of the 2009 Sympony Splash.

Stay in Victoria during the Games

2010-01-12T13:33:00.000-08:00

We’ve made it easy for you. If you have tickets for events during the Winter Games staying in Victoria is easy. Please refer to this comprehensive transportation schedule when making your travel arrangements. Where possible reservations are strongly recommended if not required.

Click here to view the Stay in Victoria Guide or visit tourismvictoria.com/calm

Calm on Over

2010-01-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

February in Vancouver? ........ Busy doesn’t begin to describe it. So "CALM On Over" and experience Victoria.

Go to www.tourismvcitoria.com/calm to find out what's going on in Victoria in February, where to stay and find information about a CKNW contest for a Victoria getaway package.

A free ride's never been so easy

2009-09-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Now until October 31, 2009, Tourism Victoria is offering visitors a "free ride" home on board BC Ferries. Simply book a two night accommodation package through www.itsvictoria.com and you'll receive vouchers for your trip home with BC Ferries valid for your car, a driver and one passenger. The savings of this limited offer is valued at over $70.

For more details and to make your booking before packages run out, visit www.itsvictoria.com or call 1-800-663-3883.

Symphony Splash 2009 Video

2009-08-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

We've captured the Inner Harbour scene during the 20th Annual Bayview Residences Symphony Splash and compressed it into just a few minutes. Follow the YouTube link and watch thousands of people come together and enjoy the largest outdoor symphony concert in British Columbia.

Watch the barge being pushed into place, the crowds grow, the moon rise and much more!Don't watch it just once - it's better the second time.
*special thanks to all those who made this video possible
Video URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEhbTivLgwY

Share the amazing video with your friends by posting the link on your facebook and twitter accounts!
Tourism Victoria's YouTube Channel: TourismVictoriaBC

Victoria: Travel+Leisure World's Best

2009-08-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

Victoria, BC and Vancouver Island have once again been recognized by Travel+Leisure Magazine in the World's Best Awards.

2009 Victoria and Vancouver Island accolades include:

8th Best City in the U.S. and Canada

10th Best Island Overall (Worldwide)

3rd Best Island in the Continental U.S. and Canada

Tourism Victoria's Awards and Accolades - http://www.tourismvictoria.com/content.aspx?f=General&p=Awards+And+Accolades.html

To view the complete World's Best Awards 2009 - http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2009/

Place Your Face Interactive Video Launches

2009-06-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Can’t get enough of Victoria? Well now you can experience Victoria anytime. Tourism Victoria announces the launch of “Place Your Face,” a new interactive video designed to market the destination by sharing cutting-edge digital entertainment with friends and family.
Go to: www.tourismvictoria.com/placeyourface, upload a picture of your face and a picture of a friend, and voila! Your faces become digitally attached to the bodies and you’re off on your Victoria, B.C. getaway. You can watch your creation repeatedly or email your creation to family and friends.
"This is another step in our continuing commitment to use digital strategies to market our destination," said Robert Gialloreto, President & CEO of Tourism Victoria. "Through our partnership with Copeland Communications on this project, we are able to separate ourselves a bit from other destinations by using fun and creative ways to engage our consumers."

The Place Your Face websites were produced for Tourism Victoria by Victoria-based advertising and communications agency Copeland Communications. “We’re thrilled to bring this new form of consumer-generated digital media to Victoria,” said Doug Brown, Managing Director of Copeland Communications. “It’s a great way for consumers to be a part of a campaign. What’s more, it’s fun – just like Victoria.”

Membership Matters eNewsletter June 3

2009-06-10T09:44:00.001-07:00

Tourism Victoria's Membership Matters eNewsletter for June 3, 2009 is available at: http://www.tourismvictoria.com/content.aspx?f=Content\5.+Members\2.+Member+Resources&p=1.+Member+Newsletter.html

Tourism Awareness Week 2009

2009-05-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

Victoria's dynamic tourism industry will be showcased during Tourism Awareness Week 2009, starting Monday, June 1 and continuing until Sunday, June 7.

Tourism Awareness Week is designed to showcase Victoria tourism products, attractions and resources, raise awareness about the importance of tourism, and encourage appreciation of the people and communities that drive the industry.

"It's important to recognize just what our tourism industry does to help make our region what it is," said Robert Gialloreto, President & CEO of Tourism Victoria. "It combines our island hospitality and culture with our unique natural assets to create something with enormous economic and social impact, enjoyed by millions of people each year."

The most current statistics for Greater Victoria's tourism industry show revenue of over $1.1 billion annually, with hundreds of distinct tourism products and events in the region.

Among the activities planned for Tourism Awareness Week is a campaign to generate awareness of the industry; throughout the week Tourism Awareness Week volunteers will be handing out Access Passes at various Serious Coffee locations around Victoria. The Access Pass will provide locals with discounts to a variety of tourism products, allowing them to experience first-hand what Victoria has to offer.

June 2, 2009 is National Hunger Awareness Day; to mark the day Tourism Victoria and the Mustard Seed have partnered to host a Food Drive. We are calling on all Tourism Victoria Members and the entire community to kick-off Tourism Awareness Week right and support National Hunger Awareness Day with a Food Drive & Tourism Industry Celebration:

FOOD DRIVE DROP-OFF & TOURISM INDUSTRY CELEBRATION
June 2, 2009
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Outside the Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre, 812 Wharf Street

All donations will go to the Mustard Seed of Victoria. Donators will be entered into a draw to win fabulous prizes donated by Tourism Victoria Members.

Victoria Arts, Heritage And Culture Guide Summer 2009

2009-05-19T10:26:00.001-07:00

Find out about the latest arts, heritage and cultural events happening in Victoria - Download the PDF guide.

Victoria, BC, the Best Place to Live

2009-04-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

MoneySense has named Victoria, BC as the Best Place to Live.

MoneySense's fourth annual ranking of Canada's Best Places to Live measures every important aspect of every community in Canada. Taking into account such factors as weather, jobs, home prices, crime and access to health care. In total, MoneySense looked at 24 different indicators and rewarded points for each one, with 105 the maximum number of points a community could receive. After compiling a massive amount of data on 154 communities across Canada, Victoria came out on top with a score of 73 points. Go Victoria!

Complete results - http://list.canadianbusiness.com/rankings/bestplacestolive/2009/Default.aspx?sp2=1&d1=a&sc1=6

You Won't Want To… But We Will Help You Leave!

2009-04-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

Tourism Victoria has launched a new spring travel promotion. Tourism Victoria will pick up the tab for the return travel on BC Ferries (car, driver and passenger) when visitors book a two night package in the Greater Victoria area with Tourism Victoria. The offer is valid for travel between May 1 and June 15, 2009 and must be booked no later than June 1, 2009; a limited number of packages are available.

The promotion is made possible by an innovative Cooperative Marketing Campaign consisting of 27 Tourism Victoria members and by a partnership with BC Ferries.

“This is a great example of what can be done when we all work together towards our common goal,” said Gialloreto. “We hope this promotion, in conjunction with our many other initiatives, will help add to our tourism traffic in May and June.”

“This is a wonderful way to entice visitors to come to Victoria,” said Scott Hoadley, President of the Greater Victoria Hotel Association. “The hotel community is excited to continue and strengthen our partnership with Tourism Victoria to bring visitors to this incredible destination.”

Ian MacPhee, Victoria’s Historic Inns, added: “Bed and Breakfasts have long understood the value of working together and it’s great Tourism Victoria is reaching across the business community and providing our visitors with more reasons to visit our beautiful city.”

Details about the limited time offer are available at www.itsvictoria.com or by phone at 1-800-663-3883.

Tourism Victoria Launches Four New Videos on YouTube

2009-04-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

Tourism Victoria is using a new medium as part of its 2009 digital strategy: YouTube.com. Tourism Victoria has launched four videos on YouTube.com, the leader in online videos. By creating unique and attention-grabbing videos, Tourism Victoria is taking advantage of YouTube.com’s world-wide audience to market our destination. The videos can be viewed by visiting www.tourismvictoria.com/videos or by searching “TourismVictoriaBC” on YouTube.com. Among the videos is “A Match That’s Nowhere To Be Found” a concept submitted by Graham Richard Parrish from the Camosun College School of Business during Tourism Victoria’s spring Student Video Contest.

“This cost-effective medium is significantly different than television, and therefore the creative had to be unique and non-traditional”, said Robert Gialloreto, President & CEO of Tourism Victoria. “With the viral nature of YouTube.com you never know what’s going to be popular and generate buzz. We are optimistic the variety of the videos we’ve produced will generate attention for our destination and additional web traffic.”

Sunshine Guaranteed? Absolutely!

2009-04-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

Tourism Victoria stands behind their guarantee! After raining 12.8mm on Sunday, April 12, 2009 – 0.3mm more than Tourism Victoria assured in the spring promotion Sunshine… Guaranteed, cheques for $500 have been issued to three booking parties.

Jennifer Harbin from Edmonton, AB, is one of those benefiting from the unusually heavy rainfall and she says the rain didn’t stop her family from seeing the city during their 3 night stay. “We had a nice time,” said Harbin. “We found lots of great things to do, it’s a wonderful city.” Harbin said that even though it did rain, they filled their time enjoying the scenery when the weather permitted, and enjoying the indoor attractions during showers. Harbin remarked she wasn’t sure she qualified, but is thrilled Tourism Victoria wrote her a cheque and loves the promotion.

“We are so pleased that visitors to Victoria are able to take advantage of this promotion,” said Robert Gialloreto, President & CEO of Tourism Victoria. “The short-term weather forecast calls for sunshine but it’s no secret that weather on the West Coast is unpredictable, and with the promotion running through the end of May, there’s lots of opportunity for everyone to take advantage.”

Details about the limited time offer are available by phone at 1-800-663-3883 or by visiting www.tourismvictoria.com/sunshine.

New Key For Victoria Hotels: Treasures

2009-04-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

Tourism Victoria, Royal BC Museum (RBCM) and the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria are partnering to further advertise RBCM’s upcoming exhibit, Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum. Beginning April 3, 2009, 16 local hotels will provide guests with specialized key cards for their rooms. Each card displays information about the approaching exhibit and directs guest to http://www.tourismvictoria.com/ for great deals and further information.

Green-Key™ is an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional plastic keycard used in hotel’s electronic lock systems. Rather than being manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Green-Key™ is made from paperboard, a biodegradable, recyclable and renewable resource.

“The members of the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria are excited to partner with Tourism Victoria and the RBCM to create an awareness of Treasures,” said Scott Hoadley, President, of the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria. “By having this event featured on the guest room keys, we are literally putting the message in the hands of people who are already familiar with what a wonderful destination Victoria is. It is an invitation to come back and see Victoria and the RBCM’s upcoming exhibit.”

"This creative campaign will put Treasures information directly into the hands of thousands of visitors. By working together with our local tourism industry partners we can boost important local buzz about this must-see international exhibition," said Royal BC Museum CEO Pauline Rafferty.

“I couldn't think of a better way to tell all those visiting Victoria that we have a great exhibit coming to town,” said John Clisby, General Manager of the Victoria Best Western Carlton Plaza Hotel. “The visitors that come prior to the event’s opening will see the province's museum is hosting a tremendous exhibit for all to enjoy.”

“This is another example of collaboration amongst major tourism players in the city to promote a tremendous world class exhibit,” said Robert Gialloreto, President & CEO of Tourism Victoria. “This partnership marketing will be a reoccurring theme throughout the 2009 season.”

Participating Hotels:

Accent Inns

Aerie Resort & Spa
Belleville Park Resort
Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites
Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina
Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites
Hotel Grand Pacific
Howard Johnson Hotel & Suites
Howard Johnson Hotel Victoria
Inn at Laurel Point
Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Delta Victoria Ocean Point Resort and Spa
Queen Victoria Hotel and Suites
Royal Scot Hotel and Suites
Victoria Best Western Carlton Plaza Hotel
Victoria Regent Hotel
Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria

Stay An Extra Night in Victoria On Us

2009-03-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Stay An Extra Night in Victoria On Us

Tourism Victoria in partnership with Clipper Vacations, is offering a fantastic new promotion for travel through April: buy a two night package including transportation from Seattle to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper and with select hotels, you’ll get a third night free.

”We have found that people are staying a little closer to home right now, and with kids free, this international getaway is being offered at a price that is perfect for families and those watching their budgets”, said Darrell Bryan, President and CEO of Clipper Vacations.

“As the destination marketing organization for Greater Victoria, it is imperative that we work with our partners to provide consumers with real value travel options,” said Robert Gialloreto, President and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “Clipper Vacations is a key partner and we look forward to the combination of our strengths in bringing visitors to our region."

Two night packages start at only $121 US per person based on double occupancy. Details about the limited time offer are available at http://www.clippervacations.com/ or by phone at 1-800-888-2535.

Victoria: Sunshine... Guaranteed

2009-03-23T10:39:00.001-07:00

VICTORIA: SUNSHINE… GUARANTEED

Tourism Victoria is taking advantage of spring’s arrival and offering an unique promotion for travellers looking for an April getaway. When you book a minimum of two nights, for travel in April, if it rains more than 1.25 centimeters during any day of your stay, Tourism Victoria will pay the booking party $500.

“In this current challenging tourist season we need to reach directly to consumers in a creative way. Alberta has shown a good tendency for travel to our region and we’re hopeful that this fun promotion will stimulate their desire to come to Victoria at a time of year when our weather is traditionally significantly better. We’re hopeful the promotion will result in incremental bookings for hotel and B&B partners as well as stimulating further traffic in our attractions and other retail and service establishments.”

Details about the limited time offer are available at www.tourismvictoria.com/sunshine or by phone at 1-800-663-3883.

The Fine Print
o If Victoria accumulates more than 1.25 centimeters of rain
(measurement hours are 12am to 11:59pm each day), Tourism Victoria will pay $500 (one time pay-out) to the booking party
o Rain accumulation totals provided by a third party
o This package must be booked with Tourism Victoria
o Minimum two nights consecutive stay during April 2009
o Booking must be made a minimum of 10 days prior to arrival date
o New bookings only
o Subject to availability, subject to change
o Standard Tourism Victoria reservation policies apply
o More details available at www.tourismvictoria.com

About Tourism Victoria
Tourism Victoria is the official not-for-profit tourism industry association marketing Victoria as a world-class destination. In partnership with business members, local municipalities, surrounding communities of Vancouver Island, British Columbia and Canada, Tourism Victoria works to showcase the destination. Tourism Victoria’s mandate is to increase the economic impact of tourism for Greater Victoria by marketing the destination and servicing visitor needs. For more information about Tourism Victoria, visit www.tourismvictoria.com.

Tourism Victoria Turns 35!

2009-03-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Tourism Victoria, who today celebrates its 35th year of incorporation!

A special thanks to all Tourism Victoria Staff, past and present.

35 years old and still going strong!

British Columbia Municipal Destination Marketing Organizations Commit to Enhanced Performance

2009-02-26T11:51:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER BC, February 27, 2009 – The newly created British Columbia Destination Marketing Organization Association (BC DMO Association or BCDMOA) held their first Annual General Meeting on February 13, 2009. The overall goal of the BCDMOA is to improve organization and industry performance in the BC communities where Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are active. The association believes that through mutual exchange and collaboration BC DMOs will achieve enhanced professionalism, accountability and performance.

“The BC DMO Association is positioned to support performance growth for existing Destination Marketing Organizations; but more importantly to support the effective initial formation of new DMOs,” states Dan Stefanson, Executive Director of Tourism Abbotsford and the inaugural Chair of the BCDMOA. “Through effective exchange and collaboration, DMO senior executives and boards of directors can discover the best way to operate their organizations resulting in program delivery that maximizes revenue opportunities for their business partners and tourism operators”.

The primary action items for the group moving forward are to: identify solutions for issues and challenges facing DMOs; distribute and recommend the adoption of the 2007 Best Practices Study; collaborate with government and industry stakeholders to define benchmarks and standards for effectiveness and raise the awareness of the resources and opportunities available through Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). The BCDMOA strongly recommends that all DMOs adopt the core principles of DMAI, consider membership in DMAI and work toward DMAI Accreditation as a long term corporate goal.

The BCDMOA membership is open to all municipal DMOs with no cost to join. The Board of Directors will meet quarterly going forward and will begin their effort by providing information about the goals of the BCDMOA to the broader tourism community and ensuring that all DMOs have copies of the British Columbia Destination Marketing Organization Association constitution & bylaws as well as the membership application form.

During the February 13, 2009 meeting the inaugural Board of Directors was elected to guide the BCDMOA. The 11-member Board is made up of a diverse group of talented professionals and DMO representatives including

- Dan Stefanson (Chair) - Executive Director, Tourism Abbotsford
- Robert Gialloreto (Vice-Chair) - President & CEO, Tourism Victoria
- Lee Morris (Secretary/Treasurer) - President & CEO, Tourism Kamloops
- Miro Micovsky - Marketing Director, Tourism Golden
- Tracy Lakeman - Executive Director, Tourism Richmond
- Nancy Cameron - Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Kelowna
- Bruce Wishart - Executive Director, Tourism Prince Rupert
- Brian Coombes - Executive Director, Tourism Chilliwack
- Deborah Kulchiski - Executive Director, Tourism Langley
- Blain Sepos – Executive Director, Oceanside Tourism
- Gladys Atrill – Coordinator, Tourism Smithers

Please note that copies of the study “Best Practices for the Effective Use of Additional Hotel Room Tax Revenue in British Columbia” and the Constitution & Bylaws of the BCDMOA are available upon request.

Local Students Get A Chance To Market Victoria!

2009-02-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

Tourism Victoria is partnering with organization members, the University of Victoria, Camosun College and Royal Roads University to offer their students in business and tourism programs a unique opportunity. Beginning today, Tourism Victoria invites qualified students to submit concepts and ideas for sixty second web commercials about Victoria. The top four students will see their concepts come to life on the World Wide Web and win a cash prize.

“This is a great opportunity for business and tourism students to let their creative juices flow,” said Robert Gialloreto, President and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “With this marketing campaign we hope to stand out in a crowded online market and really showcase Victoria from a dynamic perspective.”

“We are delighted to have our students participate in the competition,” says Pat Elemans, Assistant Dean, UVic Business. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their creativity, sell our community to the world; and hopefully have their web commercial produced.”

“This is a great opportunity for our learners to demonstrate their creative talents as web marketing innovators,” says Dr. Brian White, Director of the School of Tourism and Hotel Management at Royal Roads University. “We commend Tourism Victoria for providing this opportunity and for building bridges with future industry professionals.”

This program is open to business and tourism students at Tourism Victoria members: the University of Victoria, Camosun College and Royal Roads University, all submissions are due no later than March 4, 2009.

Tourism Victoria Receives Best Tourism Marketing Campaign Award

2009-02-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

Victoria, B.C., February 13, 2009 – Tourism Victoria’s promotion, Set Sail on Us was named Best Tourism Marketing Campaign of 2008 at the Tenth Annual British Columbia Tourism Industry Awards. Announced last night at the British Columbia Tourism Industry Conference, this award recognizes a tourism company, city, region, or sector association for their success in launching an innovative marketing campaign to increase business and enhance the tourism industry in British Columbia between January 1 and October 31, 2008. The Set Sail on Us promotion, offered complimentary ferry fare between Vancouver and Victoria and sold out in less than three days.

“Our organization is grateful to be recognized by Tourism BC,” said Robert Gialloreto, President and CEO of Tourism Victoria. “The program was unique in that the concept emanated from Tourism Victoria Board Chair Randy Wright, was refined and implemented by Vice President Marketing Helen Welch and the entire marketing team, and all of this was accomplished in a short time frame to respond to the needs of travellers. Our partnership with BC Ferries was instrumental in the success of the program and serves as a promotional model for Tourism Victoria going forward into 2009.”

About the promotion:

Tourism Victoria paid the ferry travel, including vehicle and reservation, to and from Vancouver (BCF Swartz Bay-TSW) when the visitor booked a minimum of 2 consecutive nights in Victoria;
The package was booked through Tourism Victoria’s reservation system;
Package based on 2 adult travellers, any additional travellers paid full fare on the ferries and any additional accommodation charges;
This offer became available for booking at 8:30 a.m., July 28, for travel August 5 to 28, 2008 inclusive.

2008 Tourism Victoria Environment Awards

2009-02-12T13:52:00.000-08:00

Tourism Victoria is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Environment Awards to be presented at the Annual General Meeting on March 31, 2009.

These awards recognize the efforts to preserve the environment for the benefit of residents and visitors alike, and for seeing the future through the eyes of tomorrow's children.

The Environment Awards are presented in three categories:

Individual - Recognizes a Greater Victoria resident for their outstanding effort in developing and leading environmental practices.

Corporate - Recognizes a business or company in the Greater Victoria community for outstanding effort in leading and developing environmental practices.

Organization - Recognizes a society, non-profit, or association in the Greater Victoria community for outstanding effort in developing and leading environmental practices.

If you're interested in nominating an individual, company, or organization visit our webpage here and return the form to Executive Assistant, Amber Bonner at amber.bonner@tourismvictoria.com or fax to 250-361-9733 by February 23, 2009.

2009 Call For Committee Members

2009-02-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

Tourism Victoria is currently in the process of forming the following Board Committees for 2009:

Strategic Issues
Membership
Finance
Governance

Details on each committee can be found by clicking here. Your time commitment would involve approximately three hours per month, including monthly committee meetings and time for material review and special projects.
If you are interested in applying for a seat on one of these committees, please contact Executive Assistant Amber Bonner at amber.bonner@tourismvictoria.com as soon as possible. Nominations close February 17, 2009.

Committee selection will begin at the end of February with inaugural committee meetings for 2009 occurring in March.

Victoria - A Top 10 Romantic Destination

2009-02-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

Victoria has been named one of the Top 10 Romantic Destinations for 2009 by Gayot.com, a consumer website which provides the latest information on food, wine and travel.

http://www.gayot.com/travel/features/top10romanticdestinations/victoria-canada.html

Vancouver Island - Very Romantic

2009-01-21T10:21:00.000-08:00

Vancouver Island has been named among the 50 Best Romantic Getaways by Travel + Leisure.

View the February 2009 article here:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/50-best-romantic-getaways-2009/28

Vancouver Island has also been recognised by Travel + Leisure as a Shoulder Season Travel Secret for the month of October.

View the February 2009 article here:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/shoulder-season-travel-secrets/6

Victoria Arts, Heritage And Culture Guide January - April 2009

2009-01-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

Get your own - Open publication

Find out about the latest arts, heritage and cultural events happening in Victoria - Download the PDF guide.

Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Readers' Choice Awards

2008-10-28T15:22:00.001-07:00

Victoria has once again been rated among the best cities in the Americas by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Victoria ranked as the third best city in the Americas in Conde Nast Traveler's 2008 Readers' Choice Awards, tied with Quebec City.

Cities are rated on criteria such as ambience, friendliness, culture, sites, restaurants, lodging and shopping. Victoria has consistently been named among the top ten cities in the Americas in Conde Nast's annual Readers' Choice Awards, taking top honours as the number one best city in the Americas in 2003.

"It is an honour for Victoria to be recognized as one of the best cities in the world in such a consistent fashion and in a prominent publication like Conde Nast Traveler," says Rob Gialloreto, Tourism Victoria's President & CEO. "With a per issue readership of over three million, Conde Nast is considered a premier travel magazine and accolades such as this raise awareness of Victoria as one of the world's finest destinations."

Victoria's accolades coincide with Vancouver Island being awarded the Readers' Choice award for Top North American Island for the seventh year in a row. Vancouver Island ranked first ahead of Kiawah and Nantucket in the North American Island category.

"With the natural beauty of Victoria and Vancouver Island, and the first-class tourism products we offer visitors, it is no surprise that we are recognized by travellers as a world-class destination," said Bill Bennett, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. "This kind of recognition will only increase as the world watches British Columbia prepare for and host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."

"With Vancouver Island taking top spot for North American Islands for a record seventh year, and Victoria tying for third place as top American city, the readers of Conde Nast Traveller are telling us something that we are fortunate to know already - the wide variety of unique travel experiences found on Vancouver Island and in Victoria are unparalleled in the world," said Rod Harris, President & CEO of Tourism British Columbia.

Congratulations to Tourism Victoria Members who were also recognized:

Best of the Best 2008
47th - Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino
67th - Long Beach Lodge Resort, Tofino
Top 30 Canada Hotels
1st - Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria
3rd - Sooke Harbour House, Sooke
7th - Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Victoria
14th - Fairmont Empress, Victoria
17th - Victoria Regent Hotel, Victoria
23rd - Aerie Resort & Spa, Vancouver Island
24th - Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa, Vancouver Island

Top 20 Canada Resorts
2nd - Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino
3rd - Long Beach Lodge Resort, Tofino
16th - Poets Cove Resort & Spa, Pender Island

Established in 1987, Conde Nast Traveler is designed for the experienced, discerning, frequent traveller and reports on an array of diverse travel experiences. The magazine presents information encompassing art, fashion, architecture, culture, cuisine and shopping at a variety of destinations throughout the world.

Tourism Victoria Achieves Destination Marketing Accreditation

2008-09-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

Tourism Victoria announced today that it has been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). DMAP is an international accreditation program developed by the Washington, D.C. based Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). In earning the DMAP accreditation, destination marketing organizations (DMOs) communicate to their community, buyers and potential visitors that their DMO has attained a significant measure of excellence. Tourism Victoria is the second British Columbia organization to receive accreditation, and among a select Canadian group who have qualified.

DMAP accreditation standards cover a wide variety of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation and stakeholder relationships.

DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and a leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing. For additional information on DMAP visit http://www.destinationmarketing.org/

Victoria Arts, Heritage And Culture Guide September - December 2008

2008-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

Get your own - Open publication

Find out about the latest arts, heritage and cultural events happening in Victoria - Download the PDF guide.

Self Guided Heritage Walks Of Victoria

2008-09-08T13:15:00.001-07:00

Take a walk and discover the wonderful and mysterious secrets that are part of Victoria's hidden history with this series of four self-guided walks .

The Gratitude Dance

2008-09-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

Check out this fun and uplifting video filmed in and around Victoria. Look for some of your favorite Victoria locations and see if you recognize any of the friendly Victoria locals.

Victoria named #2 Destination Canada and #16 Destination World in TripAdvisor's 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards

2008-09-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards honor the world’s top destinations, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers. Only TripAdvisor’s Destinations Awards represent the opinions of millions of travelers. The winners were determined by a combination of TripAdvisor’s travelers’ favorite places and overall popularity on TripAdvisor. “Whether it’s for their unique beauty, or abundance of attractions, the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards honor the most beloved destinations from around the world,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. “Determined by millions of travelers, the Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards are unique because they single out not just popular places but truly exceptional places that enthrall travelers and keep them coming back.”

Check out TripAdvisor reviews on Victoria

View the complete 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destination list.

For the complete 2008 Travelers’ Choice list, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TCDestinations.