Longtime Travel Alberta president and CEO Royce Chwin is set to shift west one province and become Tourism Vancouver’s CEO starting July 13, Tourism Vancouver’s board chair Robyn McVicker has announced.
The 117-year-old destination marketing organization’s board of directors conducted a global search to fill the shoes of former CEO Ty Speer, who left suddenly, and without explanation, in November.
“Chwin’s impressive experience in senior roles at both federal and provincial tourism organizations combined with his keen business acumen from leading teams in the private sector made him the top choice for the job,” Tourism Vancouver said in a release.
Speer had been an advocate of digital hotels, such as Sonder, and short-term rental services, such as Airbnb, as a way to alleviate Vancouver’s scarcity of hotel rooms.
Several representatives of traditional hotels sit on the 14-member board of directors that Tourism Vancouver lists on its website.
McVicker said Chwin has a proven track record leading passionate and effective teams.
“His emphasis on collaboration with stakeholders will be vital,” she said. “Royce will play an invaluable role as we rebuild after this time of enormous impact to reposition Vancouver as a vibrant destination on the international stage.”
Chwin was appointed CEO in 2014 and under his leadership, Travel Alberta won corporate-culture awards, as well as multiple marketing awards.
“I’m excited to return to my home town to join this world-class organization, and destination, to help rebuild the vibrant tourism economy that Vancouver is admired for globally,” Chwin said in a release.
