Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
July 2026 Newsletter

Save the Date: VCM Industry Forum

Mark your calendars!

The next VCM Industry Forum will be held on Oct. 15 in North Vancouver. 

This much-loved, in-person event brings together tourism businesses, Indigenous partners, and Community Destination Management Organizations from across the region to connect, learn, and strengthen relationships.

Registration details and additional information will be shared soon. For now, please save the date!

Introducing The Infinite Coast Destination Development Strategy

Destination BC has just released The Infinite Coast Destination Development Strategy, a collaborative roadmap guiding the future of BC’s iconic coastal journey, spanning Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Great Bear Rainforest and the North Coast.

Part of Destination BC’s Invest in Iconics approach, the strategy supports responsible tourism growth across seasons and regions, helping partners bring the brand to life through enhanced experiences, stronger storytelling, and values-based destination development.

How the Strategy Was Developed
The strategy was co-created through a collaborative engagement process led by Destination BC in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), 4TVI, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA), Northern BC Tourism Association (NBCTA), Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region (VCM), Destination Greater Victoria (DGV), and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS).

Workshops and engagement sessions brought together First Nations communities, tourism businesses, community leaders, and destination partners to share their insights.

A dedicated Indigenous engagement process, Listening to Learn: The Infinite Coast, led by ITBC ensured Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and aspirations helped shape the strategy.

On the Sunshine Coast, engagement sessions and interviews were held last year to gather input from tourism industry partners. Thank you to everyone who shared their insights and perspectives. 

Key Focus Areas
The strategy highlights opportunities to:

• Strengthen multi-day coastal journeys
• Grow Indigenous-led and nature-based experiences
• Extend the tourism season
• Disperse visitation beyond key hubs
• Embed stewardship and sustainability throughout the visitor experience.

learn more →

Aligning with Destination BC’s Iconic Brands

Access Destination BC's marketing tools and resources to align your business with the Iconic destination brands. For those based in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, these tools can help you amplify your reach by leveraging Destination BC’s global presence.

Learn about the brands, integrate them into your marketing, and improve your ROI through strategic partnerships.

LEARN MORE →

New Crisis Communications Resource Library For BC Tourism Organizations

Destination BC has launched a new Crisis Communications Resource Library to help tourism organizations across BC build readiness and respond with confidence. 

This free, self-paced hub is designed to support organizations at every stage, whether you’re: 

• Building a crisis communications plan for the first time
• Updating or strengthening existing processes
• Preparing your team ahead of a busy season
• Responding to active issues
• Reflecting and improving after a crisis

Resources can be used step-by-step to develop a plan, or individually to address specific issues as they arise.

learn more →

Two Gathering Places Now Open Across the Vedder Greenway

A second gathering place opened this week along the Vedder Greenway, marking a major milestone for the Good Neighbours Lhewámel Project in Chilliwack. 

The new site is located at the Lickman Road entrance to the Vedder Trail, joining the first gathering place at Peach Park, a central and well-used access point. 

Led by Ts'elxwéyeqw Tribe Management Limited in partnership with Tourism Ch'illiwack, and supported by the City of Chilliwack and Stó:lō Research and Resource Centre, the project is transforming the Vedder Trail into
a living expression of Sí:yá:ya Yóyes (Friends Working Together Plan), placing Indigenous knowledge, stories, and stewardship at the heart of one of the Fraser Valley's most beloved outdoor spaces.

A third phase, an adaptive cycling project at Vedder Park, will be unveiled this fall.

LEARN MORE →

Fraser Valley Tourism Partners Launch Collaborative Planning Pilot

Destination BC, tourism partners in the Fraser Valley, and the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region have launched a collaborative pilot program to strengthen the Fraser Valley visitor economy.

The project will develop a Tourism Experience Gap Analysis, Audit, and Strategic Roadmap to help guide future destination development.

The Request for Proposals is now open, inviting qualified consultants to assess the current tourism landscape and identify opportunities to enhance and diversify visitor experiences across the region.

Proposals will be accepted until July 24.

learn more →

Now Open: Build Communities Strong Fund

The Build Communities Strong Fund, delivered by PacifiCan, supports community infrastructure projects that strengthen local economies and potentially enhance visitor experiences across BC.

Who can apply:
 

• Municipal or regional governments 
• Indigenous communities or organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations 

Eligible activities include:
 

• Community buildings, spaces, and related assets
• Recreation facilities and assets
• Community cultural facilities and assets (e.g., theatres, museums, parks, public gathering spaces)

Submissions are encouraged as soon as possible. 

LEARN MORE →