WestJet brings together Vancouver Island tourism industry to talk safe travel restart.

COVID-19 brought the travel and tourism industry to its knees as borders shut and travel was discouraged. From March 2020 through now, for the most part tour operators, hotels, restaurants, conference centres, taxis and more have sat still and a large part of the population who are employed directly or indirectly in the industry continue to be impacted.

For many of the thousands of Islanders who have been waiting to get back to work, a recent announcement from the Government of British Columbia on safely reopening the province to tourism, was a welcome step forward.

'A safe reopening is critical for the cities on Vancouver Island, all of which have lost their most lucrative markets,' said Paul Nursey, CEO Destination Greater Victoria.