Beyond Visitor Numbers, Nanaimo Looks at What Tourism Can Do for a Community
Tourism Nanaimo will take part in an international World Tourism Day relay exploring how destinations are balancing visitor economies with community wellbeing, culture, and the environment
Nanaimo will join destinations around the world this month in a World Tourism Day conversation examining how tourism can create more value for the communities people come to experience.
On September 24, Tourism Nanaimo will take part in Unleashing Tourism’s Power to Move the World,, a free 90-minute online relay hosted by the Destination Think Collective. The live relay will move virtually between destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North America, Australia, and beyond, highlighting different approaches to tourism, community wellbeing, and destination stewardship.
“Tourism can bring real value to a community, but that does not happen by accident,” said Carly Pereboom, CEO of Tourism Nanaimo. “We need to think about where visitor spending goes, how people experience a place, and what tourism contributes to the community year-round. The Collective gives us the chance to learn from destinations tackling those same questions in very different ways.”
Tourism Nanaimo’s destination management work is guided by Nanaimo ReImagined, the City of Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan, and a Doughnut Economics approach that considers economic vitality alongside social wellbeing and environmental responsibility. The organization joined the Destination Think Collective earlier this year, connecting Nanaimo with destinations sharing ideas and practical approaches to tourism and destination stewardship.
Travellers are increasingly thinking about those impacts too. Booking.com research cited by the Collective found that 84% of travellers consider travelling more sustainably important, while 73% want the money they spend to benefit local communities.
Tourism Nanaimo Luminous Paths
Destinations are responding in different ways. Copenhagen rewards visitors who make more sustainable choices through CopenPay. Tofino supports the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation-led Tribal Parks Allies program, connecting tourism with the protection of land and culture. Nanaimo is applying similar thinking close to home, supporting arts and culture initiatives such as Luminous Paths, creating opportunities for sport and youth through the Sport Hosting Grant, and providing annual inclusivity training for frontline staff to help create a more welcoming destination for all.
Unleashing Tourism’s Power to Move the World takes place Thursday, September 24 at 12pm PT on LinkedIn Live. Registration is free, and a recording will be available following the event.
Register through the Destination Think LinkedIn event page.
About Tourism Nanaimo:
Tourism Nanaimo is the official destination management organization for Nanaimo, British Columbia, playing a central role in how the city plans for and benefits from visitation. Rather than focusing solely on promotion, Tourism Nanaimo works across destination planning, experience and product development, business and event attraction, and strategic investment to ensure the visitor economy supports broader community outcomes.
Operating in alignment with Nanaimo ReImagined, the City of Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan, Tourism Nanaimo applies a Doughnut Economics approach to balance economic vitality with social well-being and environmental responsibility. This integrated model ensures tourism is planned as part of the city’s long-term growth and resilience, contributing to a destination that is economically strong, culturally vibrant, and livable for residents while remaining welcoming and competitive for visitors.
For more information, visit: tourismnanaimo.com, or connect socially on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
