Following a competitive bidding process, the Town of Sidney recently awarded the management of the Sidney Visitor Information Centre to the Sidney Business Improvement Area (Sidney BIA). “We couldn’t be happier,” says Donna Petrie, Executive Director of the Sidney BIA. “This will not only enable us to enhance our mandate to attract people to Sidney, it will allow us to introduce a number of innovations to assist visitors before they arrive and during their stay.” Funding for the Visitor Information Centre will come from the Town of Sidney and Destination BC.
The Sidney BIA believes that visitor services extends way beyond the actual visitor information building. One of the innovations the Sidney BIA plans to introduce shortly after they assume responsibility for the Centre in January is a “live chat room” feature. This will enable potential visitors to receive real-time assistance from one of the Centre’s knowledgeable volunteers during their trip planning process.
Another of the unique features will be “No Tickets for Tourists.” Under this program, the Sidney BIA will pick up the tab for a limited number of parking tickets each year, paying the parking fines and leaving a note for drivers, thanking them for visiting Sidney, and directing them to longer-term parking locations. “We want people to experience the unexpected in Sidney,” says Morgan Shaw, who will soon assume the role of Visitor Experience Manger with the Sidney BIA. “We want them to thoroughly enjoy their visit to the town, the Peninsula and beyond,” adds Morgan.
For the past several years Morgan has managed the Visitor Information Centre on behalf of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. “She brings so much to the job,” Donna says. “Experience, a high level of skill, and an outstanding relationship with the team of dedicated volunteers.”
The Sidney BIA plans to create a whole new culture of visitor information services that will benefit not only visitors but local businesses too. As of January, Sidney BIA members will not have to pay for racking at the Visitor Centre. “We hope businesses will make good use of this opportunity to spread the word about their great products and services,” says Donna. Similarly, Donna says that not-for-profit organizations will play a key role in the Centre too.
