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Faro at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, which was recently honoured as Employer of the Year at the 2022 Vancouver Island Tourism Conference Industry Awards. Faro was previously listed on the inaugural 100 Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining list by opentable.com. (Courtesy of Oak Bay Beach Hotel)

5 Vancouver Island tourism teams earn top accolades

April 25, 2022 //  by  Oak Bay News Staff

Five winners have walked away with accolades from the 2022 Vancouver Island Tourism Conference Industry Awards at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort in Victoria.

The Vancouver Island Tourism Conference was an opportunity gather as an industry in person and celebrate resilience, dedication and innovation, said Anthony Everett, president and CEO of 4VI (formerly Tourism Vancouver Island)

“The tourism and hospitality businesses and employees in the Vancouver Island region have shown incredible resilience through the pandemic. … They are all deserving of an award and I wish we could recognize each and every one by name,” Everett said.

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel was named employer of the year, an award that recognizes businesses that exemplify best practices in gender equity, diversity, skills training and benefits.

The hotel focused on retention and development the last year, identifying the need to focus on the mental health and wellness of team members, as well as their growth, according to a news release. Through various programs the hotel addressed cost-of-living realities while creating a culture of balance and growth with employees, and achieved the highest employee engagement scores it has ever recorded.

Malahat SkyWalk was named people’s choice winner, as voted by conference attendees. Participants find the new Malahat SkyWalk thoughtful, well-designed and accessible. Its partnership with Malahat Nation, mindful travel aspects and forest, history, and education – before visitors even reach the incredible Spiral Tower, set the SkyWalk above others.

Victoria Airport Authority earned the social responsibility award, for businesses that contribute to a vibrant community and demonstrate a belief in giving back. This award highlights the teams that make an impact on community, environment, the local culture and on business.

In January 2021, Victoria International Airport (YYJ) received the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Accessibility Certified Gold rating, the second airport in B.C. and fourth in Canada to achieve the status. In addition, YYJ implemented a curbside assistance program where its passenger engagement and safety officers help people with disabilities move through the terminal. In 2021, the team responded to more than 700 requests for assistance.

Josh Brown of Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet, was named employee of the year. The award recognizes a front-line tourism employee who has demonstrated exemplary work performance, is valued for outstanding service and seen as a key contributor to team success.

Brown has worked at the resort for more than 10 years, starting as a houseperson and moving his way up to duty manager.

Dubbed a “Josh of all trades,” he’s the champion of the Green Team, working hard to implement an improved recycling process. Because of his fun-loving, laid-back nature, the team was quickly on board and ensured he had support for the program. He truly wants guests to have a memorable experience at the resort and is someone the team knows they can count on.

Kaatza Station Museum in Lake Cowichan was named resilient business of the year, which celebrates industry members who participated in the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program and demonstrated a keen ability to innovate, adapt and build during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit vancouverisland.travel/corporate/tvi-conference-2022 for more information on the conference.

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4VI Releases Three-Year Impact Strategy to Stakeholders and Partners

New Model for Destination Management Organizations gaining recognition around the world

December 13, 2022, Traditional Territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation (Nanaimo, BC) – Since  launching earlier this year as a social enterprise dedicated to ensuring travel is a force for good— forever, 4VI has gained international recognition for the Vancouver Island Region as a thought leader in sustainable destination management.

And word has spread, with 4VI team members presenting at such prestigious international conferences as Tourism Cares, Future of Tourism Coalition, City Destinations Alliance, City Nation Place, and Sustainable Brands.

“Tourism Vancouver Island was a 60-year-old organization that needed to evolve. When we launched 4VI as a social enterprise at our annual conference in April 2022, we identified that we would reinvest revenues in social impact projects, guided by globally recognized programs and principles,” says President CEO Anthony Everett. “We decided to throw away the old ways of working and reimagine something bold, forward-looking and, above all, sustainable. Since then, we have developed our Impact Strategy so that it aligns with the pillars of social responsibility, putting the needs of communities and residents at the centre.”

With that new approach to tourism comes the launch of the three-year Impact Strategy , developed over the summer and fall with engagement from the 4VI Board of Directors, key partners, and global thought leaders.

A major milestone in the development of the Impact Strategy was reached in September, when 4VI confirmed its first global partnership with the Travel Foundation, a leading global non-government organization that works with governments, businesses, and communities to develop and manage tourism in a way that maximizes the benefits for communities and the environment; their joint focus is on innovation, impact, and investment in both climate action and equity.

This global partnership ties in well with 4VI’s commitment to advancing sustainable responsibility with the goal of increasing the benefits and reducing the negative impacts caused by tourism in the Vancouver Island Region and beyond. 4VI is a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, which commits to halving emissions for the region by 2030 and reaching net zero on or before 2050. In addition, 4VI achieved their Responsible Tourism Institute Biosphere Certified status. In November, the organization rolled out fully funded Biosphere Commitment Program for Vancouver Island Region businesses.

“I believe that a great place to live is a great place to visit, but a great place to visit is not always a great place to live. In our new social enterprise model, we strive to contribute to a balanced and community- oriented approach to tourism.” says Everett. “Our goal is to invest $10 million by 2030 into various impact projects around the region.”

Additional Impact projects confirmed this past year include:

• Developing, in partnership with community destination management organizations, eight accessible travel guides for visitors to the Vancouver Island Region.
• Launching an Indigenous Voices podcast, conducting team training around reconciliation as the organization advances its work aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission call to action #92 and the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan.
• Providing funding to the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Kyuquot Checleset First Nation, and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government.
• Creating a partnership with Allied Certifications, which is dedicated to connecting businesses with First Nations leadership for the funding of ecosystem restoration and cultural projects.
• Improving mountain biking and trail accessibility throughout the Region.
• Funding the construction new all-weather pavilion in Bamfield.

As a ‘restart up” 4VI has identified three strategic priorities for 2023 as part of their Impact Strategy:

• Organizational transformation : ensuring 4VI is transformed into a globally recognized, locally embraced, and financially sustainable social enterprise that advances the sustainability of the destination through high-impact advisory services and direct investment in social responsibility initiatives.
• Industry Transformation : 4VI will lead the Vancouver Island region tourism industry’s transformation into a kinder, gentler, and greener industry that balances the needs of the region’s communities, cultures, businesses, and environment. 4VI’s climate action strategy will also be presented in 2023, which includes calculating the carbon footprint of both the Vancouver Island Region as a destination and 4VI as an organization.
• Service Delivery Excellence : 4VI will lead industry leading services that advance 4VI’s values and mission to make travel a force for good for Vancouver Island—forever.

And through its ongoing partnership with Destination British Columbia, 4VI will continue to deliver on destination development, stewardship, content marketing, travel media, travel trade, and the launch of the Invest in Iconics strategy.

A full report of 4VI’s impacts to date may be found at forvi.ca/impact .

About 4VI 4VI (formerly Tourism Vancouver Island) is a non-profit social enterprise organization, created to ensure that travel is a force for good for Vancouver Island – forever. The ‘4’ in its name captures its four key social commitments — to the community, business, culture, and the environment. This focus extends to the work the organization does each day. Every opportunity for 4VI now and in the future will align with these social goals. The team’s mandate is to deliver innovative tourism advisory services, working directly with communities on Vancouver Island to both identify opportunities for enhanced tourism experiences and deliver on them. 4VI is the first destination management organization of its kind to not just commit to changing how tourism is managed, but to developing the corporate structure as a social enterprise that drives needed change. Learn more at forvi.ca/ .

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An award-winning convention centre and event venue in downtown Nanaimo.

Vancouver Island Conference Centre is within reach of all the amenities that will delight attendees of all interests – from cozy accommodations and diverse restaurants to local shops and outdoor adventures. Businesses, organizations, event planners, and individuals all over North America trust us to help them plan, create, and deliver exceptional experiences.

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OVG 360, a division of the Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management company that helps clients reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and communities. With a portfolio of more than 300+ client partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of unmatched services, resources and expertise designed to deliver unparalleled results that elevate every aspect of the venue.

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Through strong leadership, and in collaboration with tourism industry stakeholders and service providers, the Vancouver Island Conference Centre promotes and contributes to a financially healthy community and enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors of Nanaimo. We strive to create positive economic impact, stimulate growth for the City and provide cultural enrichment of the community, through the planning, management and delivery of conferences, conventions, meetings and events.

To manage and operate the VICC consistent with the goals of the City and operated in the public interest, to create positive economic impact, stimulate growth for the City and provide for the cultural enrichment of the community.

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We have access to a network of partnerships and integrated services that allow us to host incomparable weddings, conferences, and events that create lasting memories and foster meaningful connections. We pride ourselves on superior service, strong relationships and a client-focused approach that delivers innovative solutions. Our highly customer focused team of staff and contractors work together with you to ensure every detail has been planned and delivered flawlessly.

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“We strive to exceed any expectations, set a new standard, and transform events into memorable and exceptional experiences.”

“We are appreciative, value open, honest communication, and provide an equitable and supportive environment.”

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“We are environmentally, socially, and fiscally responsible, managing our business and events as though they are our own.”

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