Tourism Businesses on Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast to receive support through ‘Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program’

NANAIMO, BC – Tourism Vancouver Island is committed to supporting the survival of
nearly 3,500 tourism businesses on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the launch of the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program.

Beginning this week, the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program provides Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast tourism businesses (including Indigenous tourism businesses) with meaningful, hands-on guidance and support to navigate the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to work towards long-term resiliency.

The Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program includes two components:

i. Tourism businesses will be paired with a Business Resiliency Specialist who, through a needs assessment consultation by phone, will facilitate customized support for each business that includes navigating available relief measures, resource links, answers to frequently asked questions and free appointments with program experts in finance, human resources, legal services and more. Program specialists will provide client care to each business through their entire journey to recovery.

ii. A digital resource hub (www.victrp.ca), including regular webinars, information bulletins and additional resources.

To register for the program, tourism businesses on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast can visit the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program website at www.victrp.ca or call the program Help Line at 1-855-722-9036.

The program will begin with an introductory webinar on Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. PST and participants can sign-up on the website.

The Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program is funded in partnership with Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) and delivered in part with assistance from the Sunshine Coast Tourism Association.

“This collaborative, business-focused and versatile response will assist regional tourism businesses to adapt and recover from the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic,” says Anthony Everett, Tourism Vancouver Island President & CEO.