You don鈥檛 have to go far to find the best island in Canada.
Vancouver Island was named the best island in Canada in 2017 by Travel and Leisure Magazine鈥檚 annual World鈥檚 Best Awards.
The results are determined by readers, who vote on the best islands, cities, hotels, airports and places throughout the world. Vancouver Island beat out the Gulf Islands and Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia while Palawan, an island in the Philippines was named the world鈥檚 best island.
Dave Petryk, president of Tourism Vancouver Island, said it鈥檚 a huge honour to win the award, adding that the fact that Travel and Leisure鈥檚 awards are done by readers鈥� choice makes it all the more special.
鈥淭here is no tie to purchased advertising,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a matter of fact, we鈥檝e never purchased advertising in that magazine because it is way out of our range. Of course, that type of editorial speaks way better than paid advertising anyway.鈥�
Petryk said what makes Vancouver Island so special is its outdoors recreational opportunities, such as surfing, hiking, biking and whale and bear watching combined with its incredible views and stunning beauty.
鈥淲hen people travel across the ocean to a place such as Vancouver Island, they really feel like they have gotten away from it all,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really a destination.鈥�
Petryk said tourism for the busy summer season on the Island appears to be 鈥渧ery鈥� strong, adding that Nanaimo has had a great year from a tourism perspective.
鈥淣anaimo has been strong this year,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 strong presently and rooms on books, from what I understand from accommodators, are all up over last year. It鈥檚 looking to be a really good summer season for Nanaimo.鈥�
However, Petryk said he鈥檚 watching closely to see if there is any impact the wildfires across the province might have on tourism on Vancouver Island.
鈥淭here is some concern with the amount of media that is talking about British Columbia鈥檚 wildfires situation and a lot of consumers will just assume that is provincewide,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat may very well have an impact on us in the not-too-distant future. We haven鈥檛 seen it yet but we are watching for that.鈥�
nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com
