Tourism Ucluelet Unveils National Promotional Tour

Tourism Ucluelet is going cross-country to showcase its breathtaking beauty—and, undoubtedly, to remind Canadians there are two towns on the West Coast of Vancouver Island

On May 1, Tourism Ucluelet will take to the Trans Canada highway in a marketing tour to showcase the small coastal town, which has long lived in the shadow of its famous sibling, Tofino.

Beginning in St. John’s, New foundland, the Tourism Ucluelet diesel-powered RV will make its way west across the continent hitting 26 cities and all 10 provinces, showcasing the town of Ukee at various community events and festivities as they go.

The marketing initiative is, of course, also online on Facebook and Twitter, as well as a unique landing page and includes a grand prize week-long getaway to Ucluelet—completely customized to suit the tastes of the winner.

Historically, Ucluelet—the bigger of the two townships at the end of Vancouver Island Highway 4—was the first to burgeon on the strength of tourism. From whale watching and wilderness tours on the Lady Rose around Barclay Sound, it has long understood the value of visitor dollars. But while both Ucluelet and Tofino were once in bed with the logging industry, Ucluelet was more dependent upon it. When the messy, global battle surrounding Clayoquot Sound that happened in the early 1990s was finally rectified, Tofino emerged the shining, nature-loving city, while Ukee—as a completely shorn Mount Ozzard looked down over it—lost its lustre.

Since, Ucluelet has focused on remaking itself, making great strides in attracting visitors with high-end accommodation such the sparkling Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, easy access to nature through initiatives such as the Wild Pacific Trail and a slowly expanding roster of restaurants, surf schools and tour companies. Even Mount Ozzard is green again.

In a press release, members of the Tourism Ucluelet roadtrip team, John and Kathy de Vries, said they look forward to sharing “the wonders and delights of Ucluelet with as many Canadians as possible.” Hopefully, they added, many will take the chance to experience it for themselves.

The Tourism Ucluelet roadtrip wraps up in Ukee on June 24.