Tofino’s Tourism Boom Highlights B.C.’s Bright Future
Tofino, B.C. thrives in 2025 with record tourism, sustainable growth, and vibrant community spirit, signaling British Columbia’s bright future.
Tofino BC
By Elke Porter | WBN News Tourism | April 26, 2025
On the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, the small town of Tofino is writing a joyful new chapter in British Columbia’s economic story. Once a sleepy fishing village, Tofino has blossomed into a global ecotourism destination, welcoming over 750,000 visitors annually to its windswept beaches, ancient rainforests, and vibrant Indigenous culture. In 2025, Tofino’s tourism sector is not only back on track—it’s thriving.
British Columbia’s tourism industry overall is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. In 2023, the province generated $22.1 billion in tourism revenue, marking a 12.4% increase from 2022. Tourism contributed $9.7 billion to the provincial GDP, surpassing traditional sectors like mining and forestry. Employment in tourism reached over 125,700, with wages and salaries climbing 11.8% to $5.9 billion. International visitor numbers soared, with 4.9 million travelers arriving in 2023, fueled by B.C.’s "Gaining the Edge" strategy emphasizing eco-tourism, Indigenous experiences, and outdoor adventure.
Tofino stands out as a shining example. With a population of just 1,655, the town received $667,047 in 2024 through British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI), part of a $10.5 million program supporting resort communities across the province. Since 2008, Tofino has secured over $5.8 million in RMI funding, leading to major tourism infrastructure improvements like the Lighthouse Trail, beach access enhancements, and downtown revitalization.
In 2025, Tofino is investing its $496,306 Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) grant into festivals, trail maintenance, and civic centre upgrades to enhance year-round tourism. These efforts bolster the town’s appeal for visitors drawn to surfing, whale-watching, and vibrant cultural events.
Central to Tofino’s success is its commitment to sustainability, catalyzed by the 1993 Clayoquot Sound Land Use Decision, which, alongside other factors like the 2000 UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation, helped shift the local economy from logging to ecotourism, though sustainability challenges persist.
Businesses like Tofino Resort + Marina and Indigenous-led tours celebrate environmental stewardship, offering authentic experiences rooted in the heritage of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. These initiatives align with the province’s Climate Resiliency Initiative, encouraging sustainable practices among tourism operators.
Tofino’s journey through the pandemic was marked by resilience. Despite severe setbacks in 2020, local businesses adapted through campaigns like #explorebclocal, and by 2023, the town’s visitor numbers had rebounded strongly. Tofino’s story, along with the growth of nearby communities like Ucluelet and Whistler, highlights the vital role of small businesses and community spirit in B.C.’s economic future.
Today, Tofino stands as a beacon of opportunity and joy on Canada’s beautiful West Coast.
#Tofino BC #Explore BC #Eco tourism #Travel Canada #Sustainable Travel #Vancouver Island #Hello BC #Nature Lovers #WBN News Tourism #Elke Porter
Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp: +1 604 828 8788
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