Vancouver Island tourism partnership launches 'Spirit Loop' as outdoor destination
The City of Langford in partnership with the Malahat Nation and the Sooke to Port Renfrew Tourism Association has launched a new tourism collective known as the "Spirit Loop" to promote the unique outdoor and adventure experiences on southwest Vancouver Island.
The Malahat Skywalk is just one of the many destinations included in the loop that takes the traveller from Langford through Sooke to Port Renfrew, along the Pacific Marine Circle route to the Cowichan Valley.
“We really needed to stand out and be authentic,” said Langford business and development manager Donna Petrie. “We decided on 'Spirit Loop' for the campaign because it spoke to the spirit of collaboration of community, adventure, connecting to the lands and our indigenous communities.”
The Malahat First Nation sees the Spirit Loop marketing campaign as a way to put the First Nation and the surrounding communities “on the map” in a bigger way.
“It's really a way to highlight that there is more to the South Island that what’s in the core of Victoria or the Cowichan Valley – that there’s a whole region in between,” said Malahat Nation chief administrative officer Josh Handysides.
“The Malahat Skywalk has already been recognized on the world stage and it really opens the door for us to be able to develop more tourism product in the Malahat area,” he added.
Langford’s mayor says the Spirit Loop tourism collective allows its partner agencies to promote the unique tourism experiences in the region. He says it is a focused way to boost the tourism economy in each community.
“We believe this is an economic generator for jobs. It's an economic generator for First Nations, and it's an economic generator for small entrepreneurs,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young. “This is the way of the future and I think you are going to see a doubling of tourism for outdoor recreation and we want to be a part of that.”
Tourism operators in Port Renfrew also see the benefit of the collaborative approach of marketing the region as an outdoor and adventure tourism destination.
“Now we have an opportunity for the rest of the world to discover who we are, where we are and what we have to offer,” said Port Renfrew economic development director Peter Dukakis. “The most important thing we are doing is exposing people to the beautiful nature that we live in and we really want to be a part of their next journey and their next story.”
A documentary-style film was produced to accompany the launch of the Spirit Loop tourism collective. The 14-minute video highlights the wide range of cultural, culinary, outdoor and adventure tourism experiences available along the Spirit Loop.
“The intention of the documentary was to approach traditional tourism marketing in a memorable way,” said Petrie. “It captures the journey of a curious, adventurous traveller reconnecting with his own spirit while touring the loop.”
Though the goal of the Spirt Loop tourism marketing collective is to highlight the region to national and international travellers, the partner agencies hope that people living on Vancouver Island will also take advantage of the unique experiences.
“There’s so much that most people on the South Island and Victoria don’t realize is just an hour's drive away,” said Handysides. “This is a chance for the nations, cities and businesses around us to come together and give a real example of what reconciliation can be."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.