Greater Victoria wins the 2024 Eco Family Escape Travel Award from Good Housekeeping Insitute. Fisherman’s Wharf was one of the many stops the presenters visited. (Photo submitted/Matt Shannon)

Greater Victoria gets Good Housekeeping stamp of tourism approval

November 19, 2023 // by Thomas Eley

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Greater Victoria is the winner of the 2024 Eco Family Escape Travel Award from Good Housekeeping Institute.

Good Housekeeping described the Greater Victoria area as having the ocean at its doorstep, wilderness in its backyard, a world-class science and natural history museum, and a blooming public park with plenty of peacocks.

“It is really great to share what Victoria has to offer for families, not only to our local audiences but around the world,” says Astrid Chang, executive director of corporate communications and community relations at Destination Greater Victoria.

The Good Housekeeping tester was taken all over Greater Victoria, from Saanich Peninsula to the Malahat. The visit included a stop at Beacon Hill Park and the carbon-neutral certified Parkside Hotel and Spa.

“We’re really proud that our region has something for every member of the family,” Chang said. “Family travel is a really important segment of the visitor economy and keeping it as a diversified visitor economy.”

More than 100 testers were used by Good Housekeeping to select the winners, with travel agents, travel writers, engineers and scientists all getting a chance to have a say in the proceedings.

The testing lasted eight months, and hundreds of submissions from all over the world were reviewed.

“It is important for visitors to know that we have something for everyone in Greater Victoria. We’re known as a hub for sustainable tourism, wonderful family travel experiences, arts and culture,” Chang said.

The visitor economy brings $2.3 billion annually to Greater Victoria, which has become one of the most popular tourist destinations globally, according to Tourism Victoria.

Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria, said in a statement that he was incredibly proud of the passion and expertise that the team brought to the project.

“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without their hard work and creativity. We’re excited to continue sharing our award-winning experiences with families and travellers from around the world.”

Chang said people who have never come to Victoria will be amazed at what Victoria has to offer and blends old-world charm with new-world innovation.

Small businesses around Greater Victoria will get the most benefit out of this award, she said. “We’re really happy for the small businesses. Because we know that every visitor counts for them, and this publicity is tremendous for the region and for the businesses that operate within it.”

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