World Leisure Centre of Excellence at VIU

Vancouver Island University Professor and WLCE Director, Dr. Aggie Weighill was interviewed by the CBC/Radio-Canada about cruise tourism and what the impacts could be if ships leaving from the USA are no longer required to stop at a Canadian port before arriving in Alaska. She highlighted that BC is a highly desirable destination on its own and that cruise lines establish and sell their itineraries years in advance. Further, as a homeport, Vancouver is likely to be at less risk than ports like Victoria, Nanaimo, and Prince Rupert which are currently only ports of call within itineraries. Cruise tourism is an incredibly important economic contributor to BC, particularly in Vancouver (327 ships in 2024) and Victoria (316 ships in 2024). A study by the Fraser Port Authority found that passengers, crew, and cruise lines spend approximately $3 Million every time they stop in Vancouver. https://lnkd.in/gmh68NQw

Vancouver Island University - BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development, and WLCE Research Associate, Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar is the news. He and his team are doing research on mountain biking and trail users in BC. https://lnkd.in/gZ3tXMJX

We are excited to join the City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Division of Family Practice, Window Seat Books, and the Nanaimo Family Life Association in hosting Julia Hotz - author of the Connection Cure - for a day of physical activity and social connection. Join us and learn more about Social Prescribing and the incredible work being done in Nanaimo and around the globe as we celebrate Social Prescribing Day. Vancouver Island University | BC Recreation and Parks Association | World Leisure Organization | CPRA_ACPL | Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing | Abby Fortune | Joanne A. Schroeder | Amanda Johnson | Darcie Osborne |

We are excited to join the City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Division of Family Practice, Window Seat Books, and the Nanaimo Family Life Association in hosting Julia Hotz - author of the Connection Cure - for a day of physical activity and social connection. Join us and learn more about Social Prescribing and the incredible work being done in Nanaimo and around the globe as we celebrate Social Prescribing Day. Vancouver Island University | BC Recreation and Parks Association | World Leisure Organization | CPRA_ACPL | Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing | Abby Fortune | Joanne A. Schroeder | Amanda Johnson | Darcie Osborne |

We are thrilled to help sponsor the 2025 Hospitality & Tourism Student Sustainability Summit. Vancouver Island University is hosting the 3rd annual event, a collaboration between VIU, Camosun College, and Royal Roads University. Sessions will focus on food security, sustainable transportation, co-creation in sustainable tourism experiences, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA).

Director Dr. Aggie Weighill and other WLCE directors were published in the 2024 Uncover Magazine that focused on internationalization.

In just two weeks, we will welcome Dr. Jackie Oncescu back to Vancouver Island University to share the incredible work she's collaborating on in New Brunswick. Jackie focuses on reimagining access to recreation and sports to ensure equity and dignity! Tickets for the keynote & networking reception are only $35! https://lnkd.in/gwEhWsuV

WLCE Director Dr. Aggie Weighill is at the VIEA Summit this week. Learning about so many innovative businesses and organizations and exploring opportunities for the future.

Session Announcement! Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA_ACPL) staff will join us at the Rural Recreation Summit for a consultation session on redeveloping the National Framework on Recreation in Canada. This pivotal document was recently updated, but developing a new plan/strategy to help leisure service providers advocate for and deliver programs that meet the needs of all has started. The framework directly impacts your work and will be shaped by your input. Hosting a consultation session at the Rural Recreation Summit will help ensure that small cities and rural communities have a voice. Early bird registration ends this week: https://lnkd.in/gF9_fpuU

Rural Recreation Summit - Early Bird Pricing Ends this week! Speaker Alert: The Recreation Prescription Project is a partnership between the City of Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture, Vancouver Island University (VIU), and Nanaimo – Ladysmith Public Schools to promote youth health and well-being. The project is grounded in a Social Prescribing Framework, the five goals from the National Framework for Recreation, and the BC Ministry of Education grade 5/6 curriculum and competencies. Project leaders Darcie Osborne, Joanne Schroeder, and Dr. Amanda Johnson will share more about this innovative project and help you explore ways to harness the power of Recreation Prescription in your community or organization. Amanda Johnson | Darcie Osborne | Joanne Schroeder | Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing | City of Nanaimo | Vancouver Island University