It’s time to enjoy what travellers from around the world came to Vancouver Island for this summer: B.C.’s incredible tourism experiences. Fall for B.C. by enjoying the full range of fun fall staycation activities right in your backyard.

Staycations give British Columbians a chance to enjoy the province’s world-class travel experiences first-hand. Staycations are also a good way to keep your vacation dollars circulating in B.C.’s economy. By visiting regional events and venues, you’re not only supporting local businesses, you're also helping sustain important jobs in the tourism sector.

B.C.’s tourism sector is strong and growing and a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan. As an economic driver in the province, it employs 132,000 British Columbians, almost one in every 15 jobs in B.C. in 2013. The sector also has more than 19,200 tourism-related businesses and paid out $4.5 billion in wages and salaries to tourism workers in 2013 – an increase of 3.8% over the year before.

More and more people are coming to our province. In 2014, 4.65 million international travellers came to B.C. That is a 5.3% increase, and nearly a quarter million more visitors than we welcomed in 2013. As well, so far in 2015 year-to-date visitors are up 8.8% over the same period last year.

Here are some activities for your Vancouver Island fall staycation:

• Top fall drive: Pacific Marine Circle Route, Victoria, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Port Renfrew, Sooke and all points in between.
• Take in fall’s beauty by sea-kayaking, fishing or whale watching with a First Nations guide from Compton Island near Alert Bay.
• Take Pride in BC Parks! Enjoy the fall colours at a local park such as Newcastle Island Provincial Park.
• Walk through an Egyptian corn maze at Galey Farms in Victoria.
• Visit Cedars Farmers Market, through the end of October, at the Crow and Gate Pub in Cedar.
• Watch the world class salmon run at Goldstream Park.
• Take in a ghost tour of one of Canada’s most haunted cities, Victoria.
• Make a stop at the Maple Bay Painters Fall Art Show, Oct. 9-10.
• Visit the Fleece and Fiber Festival, Oct. 17, Cobble Hill.
• Enjoy The Howl Musical Masquerade, Oct. 20, Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.
• Don’t miss out on Sip and Savour Salt Spring 2015, Oct. 9-11.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

"It's fall, the summer crowds have gone and it's a great time to enjoy a staycation. It is an opportunity to fall for B.C. and enjoy our amazing province. I encourage British Columbians to staycation and visit one of the six diverse regions that make B.C. stand out as a world class tourism destination."

Michelle Stilwell, MLA Parksville-Qualicum –

“During every season, we have the best of B.C. in our backyard. This fall, enjoy a crowd-free stay at one of our first-class resorts, spend a weekend looking for hidden treasures on our beaches and in our trails and parks while geocaching or enjoy a hot chocolate while picking a pumpkin at McNab’s Corn Maze in Cedar or at Silver Meadows Farm in Errington. Get seasonal delights at one of the farmers’ markets in Cedar, Nanaimo and Lantzville or explore our coastline from one of our world renowned dive sites. Vancouver Island is a mini-staycation wonderland.”

Don McRae, MLA Comox Valley –

“Most tourism operators on Vancouver Island are small businesses that employ our family, our friends and our neighbours. October is small business month in British Columbia. Staycations are a great way to show you support for local economies and to see some of the great attractions we have that visitors travel from around the world to see.”

Learn More at:

• For more info on Vancouver Island Tourism visit: http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver-island.aspx