Destination BC Hosts Destination Development Engagement Sessions for Southern Valleys and South East BC Iconics

Industry engagement is a core part of the work Destination BC is undertaking through the implementation of the Invest in Iconics Strategy, in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC and the Regional Destination Management Organizations. Over the last quarter, destination development project teams for the Southern Valleys and Southeast BC Iconics have hosted virtual and in-person gatherings with regional stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges facing each region.

Engagement sessions gathered diverse perspectives by including representatives from regional tourism businesses, Indigenous tourism operators, resorts, advocacy groups, and economic development agencies, as well as CDMOs, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Kootenay Rockies Tourism. For Southern Valleys, a virtual engagement session in May 2024 and an in-person session in June 2024 in Summerland provided an opportunity for the project team to gather information and input. For Southeast BC, a workshop was held with the Kootenay Rockies Regional Destination Management Committee in April 2024, and ongoing one-on-one interviews with industry leaders are being conducted throughout July 2024 to get more detailed information on specific areas of opportunity and initiatives underway. The ultimate goal of this work is the development of a destination development strategy for each Iconic focused on enhancing the visitor experience.

To learn more about the Destination Development work being undertaken as part of Destination BC’s Invest in Iconics Strategy, please visit: https://www.destinationbc.ca/strategic-approach/invest-in-iconics-strategy/destination-development/