Become a Member

As a member of Tourism Nanaimo, you are invited to participate in marketing initiatives that benefit your business while also promoting the Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island region. We work in partnership with the City of Nanaimo Economic Development Office's Destination Nanaimo team, who is responsible for external (out of town) destination marketing for Nanaimo.

The Tourism Nanaimo Visitor Centre services over 30,000 visitors a year and responding to over 60,000 direct inquires. Each of these inquiries represents a potential customer for your business. Don't miss out on the opportunity to get your name out there; become a member of Tourism Nanaimo, and gain exposure to thousands of visitors, both online and in person.

As a member of Tourism Nanaimo we encourage you to take advantage of the benefits that membership affords you. Here you will learn about how we can help to promote your business in the community, as well as additional investment opportunities that we offer our members.

• Brochure Racking in the Beban House Visitor Centre - The Nanaimo Visitor Centre is visited by over 30,000 people a year! As a member of Tourism Nanaimo you are invited to rack your marketing publications in the centre year round.
  * In addition to racking in the Beban House Visitor Centre, members are welcome to take advantage of a reciprocal racking arrangement with the Tourism Information Centre in Port Angeles, WA. Members are responsible for supplying the Port Angeles Centre with their product.


• Visitor Centre Promotion - With over 60,000 thousand inquiries each year our Information Counselors promote members through direct service, phone, fax, and email requests. Food Service and Bed & Breakfast members are invited to provide us with a menu and/or brief write up to be included in display binders that are kept on the front counter in the Visitor Centre.


• Listing on the Official Tourism Website - The Tourism Nanaimo website currently receives over 20,000 unique user sessions a month.Your membership will allow you to list your business here.


• Member Networking - As a member of Tourism Nanaimo you will be invited to attend a variety of networking opportunities. We host a monthly 'Tourism Tuesday' mixer, in addition to our yearly Summer Kick off and Christmas Party. Members are also invited to sit on the various committees that help to guide the organization. Further networking opportunities include workshops held throughout the year.


• Conventions & Sport Tourism - Organizers of meeting and sporting events regularly ask for referrals for services such as; meeting and sporting venues, accommodation options, activity options for delegates or participants and families, transportation options to/from Nanaimo and within Nanaimo, restaurant suggestions, sightseeing, venues for off-site functions, pre and post touring options, meeting and event planners, audio visual companies, tent and party equipment rentals, caterers, etc. Frequently, staff will send leads for these services and make referrals to Tourism Nanaimo members. Additionally, we supply organizers with packages which will often include brochures for recommended activities while delegates/families are in Nanaimo. Only members of Tourism Nanaimo are included in these packages.

Additional Investment Opportunities

• Visitor Guide Advertising - Tourism Nanaimo currently produces two separate and distinct publications annually:
• The Travel Planner and Accommodations GuideWith a circulation of 60,000, the Travel Planner and Accommodations Guide is used to promote Nanaimo at trade shows and media events, mailed in response to phone and web inquiries, distributed to visitors at Visitor Centres throughout British Columbia and our summer BC Ferry kiosks, as well as year round on BC Ferries Routes
• Map and Attractions GuideWith a circulation of 120,000, the Map and Attractions Guide will be distributed extensively throughout Nanaimo as well as up and down Vancouver Island at other Visitor Centres.<


• Each new guide will also be displayed online here on our web site. The interactive page-turning technology allows viewers to access an enhanced version of your ad with the option to visit your website. Visited by more than 500 individuals per day, this popular site generates upwards of 1800 email inquiries annually, a number that continues to grow.


• Come Ashore Program - Unique to Nanaimo, this marketing program caters directly to the 6,500 boats that visit the harbour city over the course of a year, as well as the many visitors that come off the cruise ships in late summer and early fall. The program runs May through October and involves the distribution of waterproof information packages including coupons. This highly effective initiative is designed to encourage boaters to “Come Ashore” and indulge in everything our city has to offer.


• E-News Sponsorship - This is a monthly opportunity for members to share with other members a bit about their organization, special promotions, and events. Your logo and description will appear at the beginning of each Enews for one month.


• Port of Nanaimo Centre (PNC) Brochure Racking - Nanaimo proudly opened the doors to the new Port of Nanaimo Centre downtown in September 2008. In the front doors of the Gordon Street entrance, you’ll find Tourism Nanaimo’s Visitor Kiosk. The PNC Kiosk has been visited by thousands of people just in the last year. With the completion of our kiosk Tourism Nanaimo is now offering racking opportunities for businesses and organizations.


• Nanaimo Flat Map - Details coming soon.


• Out of Town Advertising - Details coming soon.

To take advantage of any of these opportunities please contact Cathy Dyck, Manager, Sales and Industry Relations – phone 250-756-0106 ext. 25 or email cathy@tourismnanaimo.com