Tin Wis Resort, a Tla-o-qui-aht owned and operated business, is getting a $1.149-million cultural makeover.
A permanent carving shed has been built on the property, new totem poles will be erected and the Wickaninnish Conference Hall is getting primed for a new roof and kitchen space – and that’s just phase one.
“It’s just really going to make Tin Wis Resort this fully immersive Tla-o-qui-aht experience. I’m super excited. It’s all the team that’s been doing all the work. I’m happy to just be here to be along for the ride,” said CEO of Tla-o-qui-aht Development Corporation (TDC) Nik Vischschraper, who hit-the-ground-running with the nation six months ago.
He said the long-term vision for the unique project is to turn Tin Wis into a “cultural hub” and “learning campus” for the community and visitors.
TDC stacked together $932,170 from the Province of BC’s Rural Economic Diversification & Infrastructure Program, $179, 875 from PacifiCan’s Tourism Growth Fund, $10,000 from the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC’s Outdoor Recreation Fund and $27,000 from Creative BC Society’s Live Music Presentation Fund to bring the project to life.
Phase two involves mentoring and training young Tla-o-qui-aht members to launch their own small business.
“Many Tla-o-qui-aht members have these great ideas, but they just don’t know how to bring it to life. Or they don’t have an idea and they want to run their own business. Tin Wis will be a hub to provide this development and training,” said Vischschraper.
Tla-o-qui-aht has set the goal of gaining 10 per cent of Tofino’s annual economic output in the next 10 years.
“We are calling it 10 in 10. We want Tla-o-qui-aht-based businesses getting more of their lion’s share,” he said.
In 2024, visitor activities in the region contributed to an estimated $657 million in total economic output to the provincial economy, according to a recently released Economic Impact of Tourism in Tofino study.
“Why have six whale watching tour (companies) and not a single one is owned by Tla-o-qui-aht?” Vischschraper continued.
In the summer of 2023, Tla-o-qui-aht opened Tsawaak RV Resort and Campground adjacent to Tin Wis Resort. Tsawaak has since won an Indigenous Tourism Award for Leading the Way in Business Development.
“We are definitely willing to partner. Maybe there will be businesses that become part of Tin Wis or become part Tsawaak. You know, you come for a camping weekend at Tsawaak and that’s where your tour starts, and it’s a guided interpretive tour at Tin Wis beach,” said Vischschraper.
TDC is also working at extending the pedestrian pathway by Tin Wis all the way down to the highway with lighting, reflectors and interpretive signage.
“This will create the connection for not just Tla-o-qui-aht, but for the entire community, that Tin Wis Road is an access to Tin Wis beach and the Tin Wis Resort area where we have a bunch of amazing businesses,” he said.
