Malahat Skywalk | Milen Kootnikoff
Destination Development is the process of improving the long-term competitiveness of tourism destinations in alignment with community needs.
It focuses on improving the current experiences visitors have and creating new ones that reflect what makes each destination across BC unique.
While branding is key to the Invest in Iconics strategy, the destination brands will thrive when they’re backed by authentic, memorable experiences. That’s why Destination BC is working closely with partners to align destination development with branding and marketing efforts – bringing these brands to life in meaningful ways.
Great place brands are built with input from local people and businesses, capturing the true character of each community. Destination BC supports these brands through sustainable development of tourism products, experiences, infrastructure, and assets. Combining development with branding and marketing allows what makes BC unique to be celebrated and shared, helping ensure it remains a top travel choice worldwide.
Our Responsibility to Stewardship and Reconciliation
The Invest in Iconics Strategy creates compelling reasons for travellers to visit more places, stay longer, and visit at more times of the year.
Destination BC understands and embraces our responsibility to ensure that our work throughout the province is done through the lens of stewardship and reconciliation.
There is a strong interconnectedness between Destination Stewardship, Destination Development, and Destination Development within the Invest in Iconics Strategy.
Overarching lens on how to thoughtfully develop the economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits of tourism to enhance the well-being and quality of life for all British Columbians:
Strategic planning and advancement of defined areas to support the evolution of desirable destinations for travellers, with a focus on the supply side of tourism:
Enhancing existing experiences and creating new experiences that elevate and deliver on the uniqueness of each Iconic Place Brand:
Through engagement with tourism partners, communities and businesses, and in close partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC and the Regional Destination Management Organizations, Destination BC is creating Destination Development strategies for each Iconic area and route. The strategies are living documents that will get updates as work progresses, and new opportunities arise.
Destination BC, Indigenous Tourism BC, the Regional Destination Management Organizations, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport worked together to create a Destination Development Framework that guides our work as part of the Invest in Iconics Strategy.
Three themes were identified to guide Destination Development work for the Invest in Iconics Strategy:
Destination Development will focus on supporting and creating experiences, encounters and touchpoints:
A key aspect of bringing Destination Development to life is the supporting environment needed:
Connect with our Destination Development team to get involved in Destination Experience Development. LEARN MORE➔
To find out more about the Destination Development work or to determine the best way for you to participate, contact us at [email protected]
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