Full disclosure, that local is me. What’s my heresy? That I am not all that sad about the decline in tourism in recent years. I am a little sad that Victoria has yet to figure out it’s next move. I’d argue that we should embrace the advanced technology industry which already generates more for the region than tourism!
Every city has to evolve — some several times over — and Victoria is no exception. Our fair city has been a trading post, a supply post for the Gold Rush, a home port for sealing and whaling fleets, a centre for manufacturing, host to primary industries such as forestry, fishing and agriculture, the seat of government and base of many provincial services, a tourism destination, and a leader in the tech industry.
I think traditional tourism is changing — and not just locally. There are many factors contributing to this change including:
1. Demographics. An aging population is not as free to travel; many of those who still can are choosing instead to stay close to home where they can care for aging parents or extended family — or may be travelling only to connect with family. Many families are simply not able to afford to travel (see below)
2. Economics. 2011 was the year “staycation” was the media buzzword of the summer. Anyone with access to basic media can tell you that the American economy is not booming and as our nearest neighbours, they’ve always been our best customers.
3. Politics. Like it or not, in our post-9/11 world, it is a pain in the ass to travel. People are thinking twice before crossing borders or even setting foot in an airport.
4. Ideals. Those who are travelling are not your grandma’s tourists — they care about not only where they go but how they get there and they want experiences; they want to see nature or meet people or attend events not see and do the top ten things recommended by old-media backed tour guides. They care about carbon footprints, environmental practices and human rights and they vote with their wallet.
I love my city and I don’t mind the tourists (I even built a website just for them; my Unofficial Guide to Victoria) but I will not miss the crowds if the industry recedes. On the other hand, I don’t want Victoria to become a ghost town because a handful of bureaucrats and associations could not see the way forward. I want my city to remain a vibrant centre of activity, don’t you?