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Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association to develop regional destination strategy

Association looking at memorandum of understanding with local partners
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The Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association is hoping to create its own destination development strategy.

Blain Sepos, PQBTA executive director, and Sandy Herle, PQBTA past-chair, presented at last Wednesday’s (April 5) Qualicum Beach committee of the whole meeting. The two were introducing the District 69 Municipal Tourism Growth memorandum of understanding.

Sepos said the first step in the memorandum of understanding would be the development of a regional destination development strategy. Sepos said this is the supply side of tourism, not marketing, so it would allow the industry to grow within the region in aspects such as industry and product development and policy.

“We’re hoping when we create our own destination development strategy for Parksville Qualicum Beach that we’ll be able to plug into destination strategies that are being created, as we speak, by Destination B.C.,” Sepos said.

Sepos said that some ideas from the Destination B.C. report, while not necessarily local, could apply to the Parksville Qualicum Beach region. Some of these ideas include a situation analysis; an in-depth overview of the current market trends and existing destination development activities that directly affect tourism in the area; and a 10-year guide identifying unique products and amenities, partners and resources and guidance on action and implementation planning.

Herle said tourism is a significant contributor to all aspects of the local economy.

“We see this as a source of investment, potential new residents, a driver of new business, a creator of employment throughout our communities and a generator of additional taxes and revenue sources of what we often refer to as fresh or new money,” said Herle, describing visitors bringing in money which was earned elsewhere.

Herle said the memorandum of understanding recognizes that it takes many to build a successful community, from various governments to staff and volunteers. She also said partners in the MoU could include the Town of Qualicum Beach, the City of Parksville, the local chambers of commerce and downtown business associations and the Qualicum and Nanoose First Nations.

Sepos said the memorandum of understanding doesn’t commit the town to anything except coming to the table with the partners. He said that would include determining how to take the next steps, but the town can determine its own staff resources and funding.



Lauren Collins

About the Author: Lauren Collins

I'm a provincial reporter for Black Press Media's national team, after my journalism career took me across B.C. since I was 19 years old.
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