The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa has been recognized as an industry leader by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
The Business of the Year Award recognizes the overall strength and long-term viability of strategies, commitment to visitor satisfaction, growth and innovation, contribution to the tourism industry, and commitment to human resource development.
The Kingfisher is an historical landmark in the Comox Valley, renowned for its stunning location and the Pacific Mist Hydropath.
Teamwork may not seem like a new and exciting innovation for success in a hospitality business, but based on the past year’s performance at the Kingfisher, it is impossible to ignore that teamwork is the innovation behind their phenomenal success. It is the mission of the Kingfisher to deliver an unparalleled guest experience. The leadership team and employees take a collaborative approach to everything from budget planning and goal-setting to guest satisfaction and strategic marketing plans. They can accomplish what might have looked impossible on paper because together they are dedicated to the result. The Kingfisher has done this by eliminating the politics and confusion that plague most organizations. As a result, they have accomplished a lot in less time for less cost.
The Kingfisher has seen an increase of 59 per cent in new customers between July 2012 and June 2013. Of these, 25 per cent are from the Lower Mainland, a demographic many hospitality properties struggle to reach due to high travel costs. Of the new customers surveyed, 96 per cent said they would return for a future visit with their number one reason being the friendly staff. Over the past year, the Kingfisher has realized an annual revenue growth of $3 million, an annual increased occupancy from 50 to 85 per cent.
Due to increased awareness and interest at the Kingfisher, there is significant growth in new visitors to the Comox Valley. As part of the teamwork innovation, the Kingfisher became a certified WorldHost property, with all 150 staff being certified in a fundamentals workshop. Each team member has made a personal pledge to ensure that each visitor with whom they come into contact will receive a warm B.C. welcome, friendly service, and an invitation to return. This extends beyond the doors of the Kingfisher and into each employee’s community as they are ambassadors for hospitality on Vancouver Island.