Vancouver Island North Tourism is a project of the Regional District of Mount Waddington.
It is managed by a contractor, 4VI (formerly Tourism Vancouver Island), and it is guided by the Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee that is made up of regional tourism stakeholders, First Nation, and municipal representatives.
Why is Vancouver Island North Tourism important to tourism businesses?
Vancouver Island North Tourism is a Community Destination Management Organization. The role of VINT is to represent the North Island as a destination and help the long term development of communities through tourism strategy.
- Acts as the official source of travel information for the VIN region
- Provides an unbiased travel resource for visitors
- Is a one-stop-shop for potential visitors for information on experiences & services in the region
- Coordinates regional tourism promotion
- Supports economic development through tourism
- A regional approach makes sense for the North Island given the geographical distribution of tourism products, how visitors travel and search for information on the region, and the connections between communities offering tourism services.
VINT has made great progress in the past 7 years to build awareness for the region as a tourism destination. By pooling resources and working collectively we have had a larger impact for the region. It is important to keep the momentum of this program and stay visible in our target markets to continue to grow tourism and business on the North Island.
How has Vancouver Island North Tourism promoted tourism in the region?
Since 2009 the Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee [VINTAC] has been developing annual plans that identify activities for the regional tourism project. The following list highlights some of the key projects completed:
- Marketing
- North Island Wild Sustainability Pledge
- Vancouver Island North Self Guided Art Tour
- BC Arts and Culture Ad
- Vancouver Island North Backroad Mapbook Ad
- Vancouver Island North Tourism brand
- Marketing campaign branding
- North Island Trail Guide web & mobile app [2017 launch & yearly updates]
- Regional tourism brochure & rack card
- Regional visitors map [2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019]
- Regional tourism website [2010 launch, 2014 redesign]
- Regional tourism mircosite [2016 launch]
- Online marketing
- HD b-roll video library
- Regional tourism video
- Image library
- Vancouver Island North Explorer Guide [2010-2017]
- CTV television & digital co-op ads [2016]
- Times Colonist Discover ad [2010-2012]
- Comox Valley Collective magazine co-op ad [2016]
- Coast Mountain Culture magazine co-op ad [2017]
- Consumer show exhibits [2010-2011, 2014]
- BC Ferries Onboard Travel Advisor [2011-2014]
- Social media presence [Facebook & Twitter since 2011; Instagram since 2013]
- Tourism Vancouver Island Vacation Guide Co-op ads [2009-2016]
- Tourism Vancouver Island Outdoor Guide Co-op ads [2009-2016]
- Tourism Vancouver Island Touring & Exploring Guide Co-op Ads [2017]
Travel Trade & Media
- Press kit for travel media
- Host for international travel writers
- Host for travel trade representatives
- Discover Vancouver Island travel trade event [2014-2017]
- Provincial & provincial regional travel trade networking
Stakeholder Development & Industry Connection
- Virtual Speed Networking Events (in place of Season Launch due to Covid)
- Tourism season launch events [2011-2019 & 2022]
- Digital Literacy workshop
- Tourism social events [2015-2017]
- Customer service workshop [2013]
- WorldHost workshop [2014]
- Tourism Vancouver Island Conference [2010-2016]
- Aboriginal Tourism BC workshops [2011 & 2013]
- Community Tourism Foundations [2008, 2011 & 2015]
- Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee governance workshop [2015]
Projects Completed Through the Rural Tourism Action Grant Program
- Rural Tourism Action Grant project list, 2011 – 2013 (pdf)
What/Who is the Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee?
The Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee [VINTAC] is a committee of the Regional District of Mount Waddington that has been created to oversee the Vancouver Island North Tourism project and advise the RDMW Economic Development Commission on annual planning and program activities.
It is a 15 member committee composed of:
- 5 Tourism Stakeholder positions
- 4 Strategic Appointment positions
- 7 First Nations appointed position
- 1 RDMW appointed position
- 4 Municipal Appointed positions
Vancouver Island North Strategic Business Plan
VINT-Strategic-Business-Plan-2021-2022-NB.docx