Vancouver Island and Victoria have been recognized as a top global travel destination by Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
The 2023 awards cited multiple resorts and hotels.
About 520,000 people participated in Condé Nast’s survey this year, the 36th edition.
In the global small cities category, Victoria was named the best small metropolis to see this year, followed by San Sebastian, Spain, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
“A popular day trip from Vancouver, British Columbia’s capital city well deserves a visit of its own,” Condé Nast Traveler said. “If you’re seeking a more rural escape, disconnect in the ancient forests with a road trip on Vancouver Island.”
Condé Nast voters deemed Vancouver Island the fourth best Island in North America.
Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn was voted the third best resort in Canada, and the Brentwood Bay Resort ninth overall.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel was named the seventh best in the region, the Fairmont Empress 10th, the Magnolia Hotel & Spa 11th and Salt Spring’s Hastings House the 14th best hotel in Western Canada.
Oak Bay gets new corporate director
Dianna Plouffe has been appointed director of corporate services for the District of Oak Bay and assumes the role on Dec. 4. Plouffe comes to the district from the Town of Smithers, where she served as the chief administrative officer since May 2021. Prior to that, she was the director of corporate services for the town.
“[Oak Bay] has a strong reputation for its commitment to excellence, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success,” said Plouffe.
Schenk top director for Sooke Chamber
Deb Schenk is the new executive director of the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber says she has been an integral part of the community for the past 15 years, dedicating her time and expertise to various volunteer organizations, and has two decades of management experience in office settings.
Schenk most recently served as the South Vancouver Island Shoebox for Women co-ordinator for the past five years.
She succeeds Britt Santowski, who served four years in the role and remains as a member of the chamber board; Santowski has started a new career with the province in communications.
With the transition, the Sooke Chamber will have new office hours, opening Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and by appointment on Fridays.
Airport garden earns honour
Victoria International Airport has been honoured by the North American branch of Airports Council International for environmental achievement.
Victoria Airport Authority was selected as the winner under the Environmental Improvement with Limited Resources category for its Pollinator Garden Project.
The garden is along Willingdon Road next to a digital billboard. The area was originally a thriving Garry oak meadow that supported a diverse ecosystem, featuring grasslands, woodlands and abundant camas wildflower fields in the spring. The land holds high significance to the W̱SÁNEĆ People’s culture and history, the airport said.
The new garden increases the biodiversity of the area, bringing awareness to the importance of native plant species and honouring the original ecosystem.
