Discover Archives – Comox Valley Economic Development

Visitor Services Counsellor - Vancouver Island Visitor Centre (Comox Valley) (temporary, 8 -16 weeks, full-time) Tourism Vancouver Island gratefully acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Coast Salish peoples. Tourism Vancouver Island has several job openings for qualified and passionate individuals looking to join a team of tourism professionals who love where they live, and love what they do. If you are a service-oriented person with natural people and communication skills and love to promote the Comox Valley and our beautiful island to locals and visitors ― we want to hear from you. Tourism Vancouver Island is a purpose-driven tourism management organization representing and supporting the tourism & hospitality industry of Vancouver Island and operates the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre (Comox Valley). We are grounded by our guiding principles of inclusion, reconciliation and mindful travel promotion. You will report to the Visitor Services Manager and will be an important member of the Visitor Services Team at the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre (Comox Valley). Visitor Services Counsellors are an important link between residents, visitors and the tourism sector providers and provide answers to questions about the area, history, attractions and accommodations. About the Position Your primary responsibilities are to engage with visitors at the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre (Comox Valley) by providing personalized service; to promote tourism stakeholders and the Comox Valley as a preferred travel destination and provide general support to the Tourism Vancouver Island team as required.

Greet visitors in a professional, prompt and friendly manner.
Promote the Comox Valley stakeholders, local tourism products, services and events.
Respond to resident and visitor inquiries by mail, phone, email, and in-person.
Create personalized travel itineraries in response to resident and visitor inquiries.
Encourage safe travel practices in our community and advocate for longer and return visits.
Assist in ongoing community and stakeholder outreach to collect updated operational information.
Research and maintain community information relevant to any travel advisories andCOVID specific information.
Summarize and report any findings and important feedback to Vancouver Island Visitor Centre (Comox Valley) staff in regards to COVID-related issues and stakeholder concerns.
Maintain and update files and reference manuals.
Create statistical reports for Destination BC on resident and visitor statistics. ● Assist the Visitor Services Manager with program administration.
Provide assistance to Vancouver Island Visitor Centre (Comox Valley) and Tourism Vancouver Island staff as required.

What we are looking for:

A post-secondary education in a relevant field like Tourism Management, Marketing or Volunteer Management is considered an asset
Experience in tourism, with a focus on visitor services and volunteer management is an asset
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
General office skills, including basic computer literacy
Experience with MS Office and database programs is a definite asset
Able to work well with a small team and be goal-oriented
High degree of sensitivity in dealing with the Public, and Stakeholders
Able to work independently, show initiative and meet deadlines
Able to work flexible hours as required
Able to work on multiple projects simultaneously
A valid drivers’ license and a reliable vehicle is preferred
Eligible to work under the Canada Summer Jobs Program

This is a temporary, 8-16 week, full-time position, based on 35 hours per week. Term may be extended by mutual agreement. Weekend work and some evenings may be required. Tourism Vancouver Island is committed to the development of a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, nationality, disability, age or other characteristic protected by applicable law. We encourage interest in particular from Indigenous peoples, peoples with disabilities, ethnic minorities, visible minorities and all qualified individuals who share our belief in a workplace of diversity. How to apply: To apply please submit your resume and cover letter which clearly outlines your suitability to dino@tourismvi.ca. The deadline to apply is May 14th at 1 pm.

For immediate release November 6, 2020 Comox Valley, BC: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism is partnering with Support Local BC, an online portal created and launched so that customers could purchase gift certificates for local, independent business throughout British Columbia. The Comox Valley Economic Recovery Task Force (ERTF) received many submissions from local industries including retail, hospitality and small business, highlighting the importance and need of continued support for shopping local throughout the pandemic, and as the Comox Valley recovers after. “This gift card focused program helps support our communities, encourage social distancing and will allow businesses to maintain some cash flow while we tackle this incredibly difficult situation,” said ERTF Co-Chair Mayor Bob Wells. 100% of the proceeds go directly to local business owners. Two pages have been established within the Support Local BC platform for Comox Valley, Support Local Comox and Support Local Courtenay. Businesses in each of these areas, and surround regions, can register directly using the Submit Your Business Form, the sign-up process takes about two minutes. Gift certificates are available for purchase in $10, $25, $50 and $100 denominations. Financial support for this Comox Valley economic recovery program has been provided by Coastal Community Credit Union and also supported by the Comox Business in Action (BIA), Downtown Courtenay BIA, and Community Futures Strathcona. Coastal Community Credit Union Senior Manager, Community Experience and Communications, Allyson Prescesky said “it’s inspiring to see that, despite the challenges they may be facing, local businesses are finding innovative ways to keep going strong. We want to help grow this momentum, and we’re able to do that by partnering with Support Local BC. We look forward to the positive effects that will result for our Island economies and our communities through this important initiative.” There are over 1500 businesses represented throughout BC by the Support Local BC initiative. The Comox Valley ERTF, initiated by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board, includes elected representatives from the CVRD, Village of Cumberland, Town of Comox, City of Courtenay, K’ómoks First Nation and a representative from 19 Wing Comox . The work of the task force is supported by the Comox Valley Economic Development Society.

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Media Contacts: Bob Wells Mayor Email: mayor@courtenay.ca Phone: 250-792-1945

Homegrown Holiday: Rediscover Canada and recharge your batteries

https://montecristomagazine.com/travel/never-gone-rv-camping-pandemic-perfect-time-try

Comox Valley Economic Development launches app using 468 Insider to encourage visits and customer loyalty for the region’s agricultural producing community Comox Valley Economic Development has launched Taste Comox Valley, a free mobile app to encourage frequent visits to – and generate customer insights for – the area’s agri-food businesses. The app makes it easy to collect points by visiting the region’s extensive and diverse farms, markets and stands, wineries and other producers. Points can be redeemed for exclusive deals and promotions. Taste Comox Valley was created using the 468 Insider platform from 468 Communications. “As we reopen the local economy, our agri-food producers need as much support as possible,” said John Watson, Executive Director for Comox Valley Economic Development. “The Taste Comox Valley app builds on our popular Grower’s Guide by rewarding visits and purchases at farms and wineries while providing valuable data to those business owners.” The Taste Comox Valley app complements the Comox Valley Grower’s Guide. Area farms that register their locations for the app can incentivize more frequent visits, reward customers with discounts or other special offers, create custom contests and incentives for loyal patrons, and get insights to where visitors are coming from. How the Taste Comox Valley App Works The Taste Comox Valley app is available as a free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. It can be used both as a guide to Comox Valley’s variety of farms, markets and stands and wineries, and as a driver of commerce. Users who create an account can earn rewards by visiting those locations. Explore The explore button takes users to the full list of participating locations from the home screen. The Map View features Comox Valley, with pins indicating the locations to collect points. Clicking on each map pin brings up more information about the location. Users can search for specific items and filter locations by category. Collect Points All locations on Taste Comox Valley are assigned 10 points, which can be collected when users are within GPS range of a location and have a network connection. Pushing the “Collect Points” button while physically visiting a location will add the location’s points to a user’s point total. To keep earning points, users can explore more locations or visit again. Point totals are tracked on a user’s Account page. Earn Rewards Once a user collects enough points, those points can be redeemed for exclusive discounts and promotions at participating Rewards locations, which are indicated in the app. While physically visiting a Rewards location, hitting the “Redeem Points” button will bring up a keypad for entering a redemption code, which can be provided by the staff/owner. Entering the code will deduct points from a user’s total in exchange for that location’s reward. Insights for Participating Agribusinesses Individual location owners are given access to an online control panel providing valuable data about visitor activity, including reports showing periods of peak activity and where visitors are from. About Comox Valley Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Comox Valley has various farms and farm stands offering fresh fruit and vegetables, jams and honey, baked goods to canned preserves. The area also boasts numerous grape and fruit wineries, award winning producers of beef, yogurt, and cheese, and renowned shellfish growers. Through all four seasons, visitors can taste farm fresh delicious food when they visit the farms or at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market.

New Taste Comox Valley app responds to COVID-19 issues Buying local has never been so important, and in support of increasing local farm gate sales, the 2020 Comox Valley Growers Guide arrives today, showcasing over 40 different farms and producers, and a myriad of incredible products available throughout the seasons. The Growers Guide has become the go-to tool for those looking for fresh, local products in the Comox Valley. Each producer listing shows icons of product types including those farms that are bike accessible, and is supported by a seasonal growing charts and maps indicating the producer’s location, plus editorial on a range of topics including local industry associations, seafood availability, and a message from the Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham. The partners in the Growers Guide expanded in this edition to include Mid-Island Farmers Institute, Comox Valley Exhibition, in addition to founding partners the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, Comox Valley Farmers’ Institute, and Comox Valley Economic Development & Tourism. This year has brought many new challenges to the local agrifood sector, and in response to COVID-19 crisis, the Taste Comox Valley App was established to promote shopping locally and raise increase awareness around the farms and producers who sell direct to the public. Available on the Apple App Store or Google Play, users can download the app for free and start exploring farms, collecting points, deals and discounts using this interactive platform. For those that like cycling and learning about agriculture, the annual Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour will be held on Sunday, September 20, and provides the opportunity to bike around the Valley to meet the producers and farmers, and learn about their practices and products. Presented by agricultural industry groups, and the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition and Comox Valley Economic Development & Tourism, new for 2020 the registration fee will be replaced with donations to the Comox Valley Food Bank, in response to COVID-19. “I want to congratulate the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, Comox Valley Exhibition Society, Mid-Island Farmers’ Institute, and Comox Valley Farmers’ Institute for their leadership in putting together this excellent guide for the local community.” said Minister Popham. Just under 100k copies of the Growers Guide will be distributed via the Comox Valley Record and Island BlackPress papers in June and again in July, as well as the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market, the Vancouver Island (Comox Valley) Visitor Centre, through local participating farm stands, and can be found online at agrifoodcomoxvalley.com.