Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery Archives

Belleville Terminal meets new construction milestone

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project is entering the next phase of work, with dredging of the designated marine construction zone starting Feb. 2.

This work to remove contaminated soils happens Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am to 7 pm, until Feb. 17. A crane barge and three support barges are set to arrive on site Jan. 30 to support dredging operations. The work is not expected to affect marine traffic.

The Chamber’s advocacy was key to attracting investment in the new terminal, which will modernize the experience for people travelling to downtown Victoria by ferry.

“It’s exciting to see the project moving along and we truly believe that investment in transportation infrastructure is vital to our region’s economic sustainability, especially in these times of global instability,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said.

City staff hear from business about noise bylaw concerns

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Local, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Chamber members were able to offer business-focused solutions to City of Victoria staff today during a roundtable discussion in the Chamber boardroom.

The City of Victoria is looking to modernize its 23-year-old noise bylaw. The bylaw affects everything from delivery truck traffic to industrial activity to music festivals. As such, it’s vital that business operators have a say in how any changes will impact them.

“We have been clear with the city that businesses need to be heard. We need to be part of any discussion that will affect us and not simply be told after the fact,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “Today’s session was a good effort to reach out to the business community and hear about real concerns and real solutions.”

If you weren’t able to attend today’s event, there’s still time to fill out a survey specifically for businesses located in Victoria that will help city staff understand operational requirements and experiences with noise issues. The survey closes Feb. 8.

Restaurant association seeks World Cup partners

January 21, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association has officially secured the foodservice contract, “Taste the Beautiful Game – BC Style,” which will run during the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
“The province-wide program aims to help restaurants host watch parties, drive traffic, celebrate BC-grown food and drink, and share in the economic benefits of this once-in-a-generation moment,” the BCRFA newsletter said this week.
Businesses need to register and spaces will be limited. Participating businesses receive free toolkits to help activate event traffic and boost visibility, step-by-step support to host high-energy fan experiences and curated concepts to showcase BC flavours during the tournament. The program also provides easy-to-follow guides to provincial requirements and provincewide promotion.

Federal funds earmarked for Royal Athletic Park

November 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

Last week’s federal budget included an unexpected $6-million to help upgrade Royal Athletic Park.

City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto told the Times Colonist the funds will allow for repairs and renovations to happen faster than planned. The city owns the facility, which is now best known as the home of the Victoria HarbourCats who play at Wilson’s Group Stadium inside RAP.

There are no details yet on what upgrades will be prioritized with the new funding.

Chamber pitches national delegates on Victoria 2026

October 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce held its AGM last week in Mississauga, Ont. The event will be held in Victoria next year.

The gathering of chamber leaders from across the country is a chance to gain insights, build collaboration and celebrate successes. It’s also an opportunity to set the policy agenda for the upcoming year by voting on key priorities that shape the national chamber’s advocacy work.

“One of the highlights was a panel on tackling social disorder,” Greater Victoria Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “This is a pressing issue for Downtown Victoria, and we heard how other jurisdictions are addressing similar challenges in their communities.”

The keynote speaker in Mississauga was federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, who spoke about tariffs and supply chains as well as workforce development and innovation.

The Greater Victoria Chamber and Destination Greater Victoria attended the 2025 AGM, and were able to showcase Greater Victoria and encourage delegates to visit in 2026.

Condé Nast showers love on Greater Victoria

October 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

As The Chamber steps up our advocacy to improve social and business conditions in Greater Victoria, a recent poll reminds us of what we have to lose.

Our region is a world gem, and, once again, has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the Best Small City on the planet. The travel magazine’s 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey attracted 757,109 votes.

Greater Victoria topped the list of small international cities for the third year in a row.

Highlights of our region were our proximity to Vancouver — and the ferry ride to get here — as well as the iconic Fairmont Empress and our accessibility to ancient forests.

The magazine’s survey also ranked the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and the Fairmont Empress as the top two hotels in Western Canada.

A sister publication, Condé Nast Traveller from the UK, announced its own Readers’ Choice Award, with the Magnolia Hotel & Spa ranking as the top hotel in Canada as judged by its readers.

Seair announces new seaplane service to Victoria

October 1, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Seair Seaplanes is set to launch a new scheduled seaplane service to Victoria. Flights begin Oct. 20 connecting Downtown Vancouver to the Inner Harbour.

“The Chamber strongly supports business growth, and we applaud the investments in infrastructure being made to bring Seair service to the Inner Harbour,” said Christina Clarke, Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “There is so much opportunity for growth in the tourism sector, which sustains so many businesses in Greater Victoria. This new option benefits visitors to our destination as well as many people who can use this service for business travel.”

Flights will arrive and depart from Seair’s new terminal at 1234 Wharf Street. Seair will primarily use Cessna 208 Caravan turboprop seaplanes, known as dependable and comfortable nine-passenger aircraft.

Seair Seaplanes began in 1982 and is headquartered at YVR’s South Terminal. Seair also operates from Vancouver’s Convention Centre and the Nanaimo waterfront.

Minister meets with Chamber to hear about business issues

September 17, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Global Uncertainty, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Safe Communities, Training And Microcredentials, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber would like to thank BC’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Jessie Sunner, for meeting with members of Greater Victoria’s business community today.

The Minister had lunch with Chamber members and staff after a tour of Camosun College‘s Interurban Campus. The meeting was a welcome opportunity to hear about the province’s plans to address ongoing challenges in BC, and hear from businesses about the value of supporting local education as well as urgent issues facing Greater Victoria.

Members from the post-secondary sector as well as aviation, hospitality and transportation industries spoke candidly with the Minister about actions they would like to see happen.

“We spoke about investing in trades training, and we also spoke about the crisis happening in downtown Victoria, and the need to not damage businesses there,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “Yes, this is a complex problem that involves all levels of government, but that is precisely why we need all levels of government to listen to business.”

Policies like a Canada-wide restriction on foreign workers or allowing downtown Victoria public sector offices to remain vacant have ripple effects that hamper the ability of businesses to operate.

Without the vibrancy that businesses create everyday, there’s a real risk we’re hollowing out an invaluable economic engine for our region.

Hospitality businesses urged to stock up on liquor

September 10, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Finding And Keeping Workers, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Immigration And Integration/by Jim Zeeben

The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association is advising its members to stock up on liquor inventories in the event the BCGEU strike targets BC Liquor Distribution Branch warehouses and stores.

“We advise you to immediately stock up on your liquor inventories. Based on multiple conversations and reliable intel, it’s very likely that the BCGEU strike action will target BC Liquor Distribution Branch warehouses and stores,” BCRFA President and CEO Ian Tostenson said in a statement. “If this happens, restaurants and bars will not be able to access product through normal channels.”

The Chamber works closely with the BCRFA and will call for changes to supply chain regulations to ensure this type of costly disruption can’t happen in future. The Chamber is currently working with the BCRFA on resolving concerns about the Temporary Foreign Worker program. The Chamber has called for regions of low unemployment such as Greater Victoria to be exempt from a nationwide pause on the program. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work. And current efforts to politicize immigration do a disservice to people who are new-to-Canada contributing to our workforce.

The Chamber will continue to advocate on behalf of members who need help finding and keeping workers.

Boardroom meeting with fed Minister open to members

August 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, New And Established Businesses/by Jim Zeeben

Being a Chamber member means being part of the unapologetic Voice of Business for our region. That means opportunities to speak directly to top decision-makers, such as the Hon. Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), who will be visiting The Chamber’s boardroom next week.

The event is open to members, providing a chance to hear directly about the federal government’s plans to support tourism and small business, as well as ongoing work to advance diversity, equality and inclusion in Canada.

The event will begin with small-group networking, followed by remarks from Minister Valdez.

A moderated Q&A will follow, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing tourism and business in our region, and how we can work together to build an inclusive, welcoming community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Space is limited, so register early to secure your spot.

Reserve Your Seat