Our Story So Far
The tourism industry has the power to build and strengthen communities through mindful and inclusive progress. Destination Campbell River recognizes our role and responsibility and the unique ways our organization can contribute to building Campbell River as an inclusive and welcoming place for 2SLGBTQIA+ visitors and residents. So, in 2022, we turned our allyship into action.
Following foundational Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and anti-bias work, we got to work on incorporating 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion into our destination development strategy.Committed to centering the voices and lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people at the heart of this work, we connected with LGBTQIA+ inclusion and tourism consultant Lauren Semple
(she/they) for guidance and training. Lauren worked quickly to create a meaningful approach to 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion for Destination Campbell River that prioritizes genuine connection, measurable action and continued learning. We aim to help build a safer and more inclusive destination for all, with resources, experiences and allyship that benefits 2SLGBTQIA+ visitors and residents.
“We’re trying to instill a sense of respect for marine life among our community so that it can be maintained and cherished by future generations.”
As this is only the beginning of our inclusion work and relationship building, Destination Campbell River is focused on the following areas of impact initially:
- Organizational diversity, equity and inclusion
- Community engagement and support of North Island Pride
- Diverse representation in marketing & digital representation
- Industry education and resources
We are so proud of the work that we’ve started, but know there’s still a ways to go! Download the full Impact Report here.
