Two leaders with long-standing connections to tourism have been honoured for their contributions by Destination Greater Victoria.
Tourism industry veteran Randy Wright, president of Harbour Air, has been given Destination Greater Victoria’s highest honour, its Life Member Award, during the organization’s annual general meeting on Friday April 29, 2022.
The award goes to an individual or organization that has demonstrated leadership within the tourism industry. Previous Life Member Award winners include Paul Hadfield, Hugh MacDonald, Ian Powell and Terry Farmer.
Wright, who joined Harbour Air in 2001, grew up in the industry starting on the docks of his father Bob Wright’s Oak Bay Marine Group. Wright rejoined Oak Bay Marine Group for a brief period in 2012 but soon returned to Harbour Air and was made president in 2017. As president, he oversees the operations and business development of the company.
Harbour Air is recognized nationally for being one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies by Deloitte Canada, a Canadian Signature Experience by Destination Canada, as well as Business of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
Wright said he’s confident the 2022 tourism season will be a return to normal after two years of the pandemic colouring everything from visitor numbers to hotel revenue.
Destination Greater Victoria gave its Miracle Award to Brenda Ollis. As the general manager of the Chateau Victoria Hotel, Ollis was recognized for her exceptional leadership and achievement in developing and supporting the industry.
Ollis started out in tourism as an accounting associate for the company that owned both the Harbour Towers and the Chateau Victoria hotels. She was made general manager and managing director of Chateau Victoria in 1999.
