Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport Visit to Tofino

Executive Director Samantha Hackett and Director of Destination Stewardship Jody Kirk hosted the Minister at the Visitor Centre, where we shared the breadth of work underway across the organization and the local tourism industry.

Discussions focused on tourism’s significant economic contribution to Tofino and British Columbia, supporting local employment, small businesses, and regional resilience, alongside the importance of managing tourism thoughtfully so it strengthens community well-being while caring for environmental, cultural, and social impacts. We reviewed the new Destination Stewardship Plan and highlighted how tourism-related funding, including MRDT and RMI, has delivered tangible benefits for residents and visitors, from infrastructure and housing investments to community programs.

The visit also reinforced ongoing advocacy priorities needed to sustain a healthy, livable community, including healthcare services, recreation facilities, Tla-o-qui-aht–led cultural and learning spaces, and securing an additional water source. Meetings with our partners, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, District of Tofino, and the Tofino Chamber of Commerce, focused on collaboration and long-term community well-being. The visit concluded with a historical walking tour led by the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Society staff and board members Moses Martin and Charles McDiarmid, underscoring the importance of place-based storytelling and cultural understanding.

Tourism Tofino will continue to actively advocate and work collaboratively with the Province of British Columbia to ensure tourism supports the well-being and prosperity of the region, now and into the future.