Value of Tourism
As noted by the Province of British Columbia, “Tourism has great value to the Provincial economy. It is one of the largest employers and one of the largest small business generators.”
VIU Presentation – Destination Development
Economic Benefits of Tourism
From raising $billions in revenues to revitalizing communities, tourism delivers a solid return on investment. Find out how tourism puts more dollars in more pockets more often
Tourism is a key economic driver and an important contributor to our quality of life in the Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast Region. Residents, businesses and communities benefit directly from tourists’ dollars and value-added services and programs that would not happen without off-island support.
Social Benefits of Tourism
Communities are thriving everywhere. Here’s why tourism is good for our culture, heritage and environment!
Beyond creating jobs and generating revenue, tourism helps build attractive and livable communities… all by promoting the culture, heritage, environment and social well being enjoyed by regional residents via increased services, attractions and recreational opportunities. Tourism creates a platform for positive change by positioning the region as a great place to live, work, play and invest.
Your Role as a Stakeholder and/or Resident
How can you personally support tourism investment in Nanaimo? It all starts with being a great tourism ambassador!
Tourism is everyone’s business and everyone needs to play their part by applying knowledge, expertise and resources to achieve the best outcomes for a flourishing industry and visitor economy. Whoever you are, whatever you do, tourism brings value to your way of life. If you appreciate tourism’s many perks and pluses, there are many ways to promote and support the industry to ensure its continued vitality and success. Tourism, let’s grow it together!
Role of Stakeholders Role of Residents
EQ Types
Explorer Quotient®, also known as EQ, was developed by Destination Canada (the Canadian Tourism Association) in partnership with Environics Research Group. EQ is a proprietary market segmentation system based on the science of psychographics. Rather than marketing to or developing products for travellers based on traditional segments, such as demographics (e.g. age, gender, income, etc.) and/or geography, EQ emphasizes the importance of traveller segmentation based on their psychological characteristics, such as their attitudes, beliefs, values, motivations, and behaviours. When various psychological characteristics are combined, different types of travellers emerge. These are known as Explorer Types.
Nationally, EQ was developed as a means to align Canada’s tourism industry with collective marketing and product development for select Explorer Types. At a provincial and community level, its use will also allow tourism organizations and businesses to better understand what drives people to travel to a destination and to better understand why different travellers seek out different experiences.
Tourism Nanaimo EQ Target Segments:
- British Columbia: Cultural Explorers, Authentic Experiencers
- Alberta: Free Spirits, Cultural Explorers
Research Guide for Tourism Operators
A Destination BC Tourism Business Essentials guide, Research Guide for Tourism Operators: The Essential Guide on How To Conduct Tourism Research, explains why tourism research is important for tourism businesses and operators. The guide provides direction on how to conduct tourism research, what type of information can be collected, how to process, analyze and evaluate research results, and where additional guidance can be found.
Research Guide for Tourism Operators
Starting a Restaurant in BC Guide
The Starting a Restaurant in BC online guide provides guidance on the requirements for starting a restaurant in British Columbia.
Local Industry Resources
There are a number of Nanaimo-based organizations dedicated to working with stakeholders to support and enhance local business. Explore the information below to learn about additional resources that are available to stakeholders in our community.
Are we missing a stakeholder-valued local resource? Let us know!
Nanaimo Hospitality Association
Nanaimo is the perfect home base for a Vancouver Island sojourn, whether it’s business or leisure. From this lovely city nestled between mountains and sea amid a lush rain forest, you can enjoy its charms and take daily excursions to many of the other wonderful attractions on Vancouver Island.
The members of Nanaimo Hospitality Association will do everything they can to make you and your people truly welcome. As you will see on their membership page, Nanaimo offers an array of lodgings, from elegant hotels to charming B&Bs to campgrounds surrounded by nature.
For conventions, conferences, sporting events or corporate outings, you will find the perfect facilities that will meet all your needs.
Nanaimo Hospitality Association
Hospitality Ambassador Program for Nanaimo (HAPN)
The Nanaimo Hospitality Ambassador Program is a dedicated group of individuals who volunteer their time to promote the City Nanaimo as Ambassadors for the Cruise Ships, Tourism Nanaimo and at Nanaimo festivals and events. Stakeholders can get involved by referring volunteers to the program or by accessing volunteers for their festivals and events.
Hospitality Ambassador Program for Nanaimo
Nanaimo Economic Development
The Nanaimo Economic Development (NED) office is a municipal function within the City of Nanaimo. The NED works to develop a creative, dynamic and competitive business environment that fosters economic growth. This office leads and mobilizes the community, local agencies, organizations and businesses to develop and implement strategies that will assist in strengthening the local economy.
Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a non-profit organization made up of local businesses, professionals and community groups. These groups work together to ensure a healthy economic base and positive socio-economic structure for the benefit of businesses and residents in the Nanaimo area.
Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
Community Futures Central Island
Community Futures works for you. Their loans support small and medium sized businesses as they grow. Your success is their success!
Community Futures specializes in small business loans with customized re-payment schedules. They can fill the financial gap, leverage funds that will take an idea from rocky to possible. Their loan packages can help you when you’re ready to start a business, when it’s time to expand your business, and help with a smooth exit from your business.
Community Futures Central Island
Additional Industry Resources
There are a number of additional organizations dedicated to working with stakeholders to support and enhance business through tourism. Explore the links below to learn more.
Are we missing a stakeholder-valued resource? Let us know!
Destination British Columbia
Destination British Columbia is the industry led Crown corporation that works collaboratively with tourism stakeholders across the province of BC to coordinate tourism marketing at the international, provincial, regional and local levels, and supports regions, communities and Aboriginal people in developing or expanding tourism experiences, businesses and jobs.
Aboriginal Tourism BC
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) is a non-profit, Stakeholder-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry.
Aboriginal Business and Investment Council
The Aboriginal Business and Investment Council is focused on improving Aboriginal participation in the economy, promoting aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs, and industry partnerships.
Aboriginal Business and Investment Council
BC Chamber of Commerce
The BC Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly-based business organization in B.C. We represent local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade in communities throughout the province. For more than 60 years, the BC Chamber’s high-quality policies and strategic advocacy have helped build a business-friendly BC.
Small Business BC
Small Business BC is British Columbia’s premiere resource centre for knowledge-based business products and services.
Destination Canada
Destination Canada markets Canada internationally. Our mission is to grow Canada’s tourism export revenues and support our industry partners.We are a leader in industry knowledge, and provide intelligence, tools, and insights to our partners—equipping them to optimize their business and maximize their reach.
Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada (ATAC) focuses on creating partnerships between associations, organizations, government departments and industry leaders from across Canada to support the growth of Aboriginal tourism in Canada and address the demand for development and marketing of authentic Aboriginal experiences. ATAC has established a membership process to enable Aboriginal tourism industry partners to engage and show support for Aboriginal tourism.
Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Since 1925, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has connected businesses of all sizes, from all sectors and from all regions of the country to advocate for public policies that will foster a strong, competitive economic environment that benefits businesses, communities and families across Canada.
Canada Business Network
The Canada Business Network provides resources and information to help Canadians get their businesses going and growing.
Business Council of Canada
The Business Council of Canada brings business leaders together to shape public policy in the interests of a stronger Canada and a better world. Founded in 1976, the Business Council is a non-profit, non-partisan organization composed of the chief executives of Canada’s leading enterprises, representing companies from every region and sector of the economy.
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
The mission of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business is to foster sustainable business relations between First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and Canadian Business.
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business