Outdoorsy people flock to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, for its water activities, remote forest hikes, whale watching, and Indigenous culture. Management organization Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) is protecting these natural and cultural resources. In March, DGV earned Biosphere Certification, making Greater Victoria the first urban destination in Canada or the United States to receive this honor. The Responsible Tourism Institute, which awards this certification, recognizes destinations that demonstrate extreme commitment to environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, equity, and social responsibility.
“I am so proud of the hard work that our committee has done since forming in 2020, and of Destination Greater Victoria’s dedication to sustainability, despite so many challenges our industry faced during this time,” Erin Cassels, chair of DGV’s Sustainability Committee and the general manager of Huntingdon Manor and Pendray Inn and Tea House, said in a statement. “It is incredible to see the values of so many tourism stakeholders in Victoria align and commit to a future in which we have the most positive impact on our home community as possible.”
The Responsible Tourism Institute has four ranks: Committed, Certified, Gold Certified, and Platinum Certified. Currently, only 45 destinations around the world have earned Biosphere certification. Many of these locations are in Spain and Portugal. In Canada, the Northern B.C. Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Tourism Vancouver Island are all Biosphere Certified.
Greater Victoria includes the city of Victoria, plus other Vancouver Island communities like Saanich, Sooke, and the Gulf Islands. Tourism adds $2.3 billion annually to the economy. As more people prioritize sustainability in their travel decisions, Biosphere certification could become even more important — especially for industry meetings and events.
“The landscape of the business events sector is evolving, and conferences and major events are increasingly seeking tangible evidence of a destination’s dedication to sustainability,” Emma C. Parston, a partner at events specialty company Connect Seven Group, said in a statement. “Biosphere certification marks a significant achievement for Destination Greater Victoria, providing international recognition of ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability practices, as well as a strong foundation for a local sustainable supplier network to create and attract more sustainable events in and to the destination.”
In addition to the region as a whole being certified, DGV’s member businesses can also get individual Biosphere certifications. So far, 12 Victoria area businesses are participating in the program. DGV hopes to get the number up to 60 by the end of 2023.
