Celebrating Kathleen Harvey’s Retirement and Next Chapter

After 20 memorable years, Kathleen Harvey is retiring from Destination BC  at the end of January.  Kathleen has held various leadership roles in Destination Management, so we asked Kathleen to reflect on career-defining moments as she prepares for her next chapter.

When you think about your time with Destination BC, what stands out to you?

Three things feel most defining of my career, here: the relationships I’ve built (both internally and with industry partners across the province), the work to transition the former provincially run Visitor Centres into community-led spaces, and particularly, our leadership in accessible tourism.

Since 2018, we’ve implemented an accessible tourism framework and a series of initiatives that ensure Destination BC meaningfully prioritizes accessibility. This includes the creation of an amazing Accessibility & Inclusion Committee, which helps to guide our initiatives.

What are you most proud of, and why?

Accessible and inclusive tourism, and helping to bring it to the spotlight are my proudest achievements. I deeply believe in the importance of creating a destination that is welcoming and where everyone has the right to experience travel. I’m grateful for the opportunity to champion this work with my team and to showcase it within BC’s tourism industry.

What moments best capture what working in BC tourism has meant to you?

It’s the people. It may sound like a common answer, but it’s true. Across the province and within our organization, I’ve met people who are deeply passionate, welcoming, and committed to the work.

Over the years, our work has shifted and become more complex, yet people continue to throw themselves into it with care and purpose. Watching that commitment evolve has been incredibly inspiring.

After 20 years, I leave with no concern about the future—the next generation is bringing fresh energy and spark.

I also feel deeply privileged for the opportunities to learn throughout my career. And not just through taking courses, but through people. Learning from colleagues and partners across the province, helping me understand BC from urban to rural communities, and from the north to the south, is a great privilege of my time with Destination BC.

Who or what made the work meaningful, day to day?

Again, it’s the people (internal and industry) who made the work meaningful through their stories, grit, passion, and integrity.

Collaboration and working together are always meaningful. Way back in my career, I would go to travel trade shows and see all the suppliers, who weren’t competing but instead working together to showcase their products.

If your product wasn’t right for a customer, you might walk them to someone else who may have a better fit. That united front is something BC has always done well and will continue to serve us well in the long run.

What advice would you share with colleagues and partners?

Take the time to create partnerships and build personal connections. Get to know each other, work collaboratively, and never forget the people part of the equation.

And, accessible tourism should not be underestimated; it’s an untapped need that we should all take seriously.

What excites you about the future of BC tourism?

I’m excited to see how the work we’ve done around the Iconics settles in, how BC’s tourism industry understands and implements them, and how visitors lean into exploring some of the lesser-known areas of our province as a result.

What will you miss most?

I’ll miss the people and the friendships I’ve made. The friendly, dedicated, and passionate people who work in the tourism industry, and especially at Destination BC, are all supportive of one another. Over the years, many of them have become my friends. I hope to keep connected.

What’s next for you? 

I have a passion for history and exploration, and I plan to spend time visiting new-to-me communities across BC, slowing down to immerse myself in their stories. I’m curious about what makes a town a town — how it began, how it has evolved, and what forces, from mining to tourism, have shaped it over time.

And, I also plan to volunteer close to home.