Sunshine Coast Art Tours

What Sunshine Coast Art Tours does

Sunshine Coast Art Tours is a privately held Canadian tour operator (legal entity: Nomad Travel Ltd.) that designs and sells curated art, brewery, distillery, and culinary experiences across British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, from Langdale and Gibsons in the south through Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, and Pender Harbour up to Powell River. Founded in 2019 as a subsidiary brand of Nomad Travel Ltd. and operated by owner Douglas Bevans, the company runs year-round (365 days) and serves a mix of leisure tourists arriving via the Langdale ferry, corporate groups, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and educational institutions. Its core products include the Coast Art Tour (visiting three artist studios/galleries), Brewery Tour (visiting three craft beverage venues), the premium Flights to Flights Ale and Air Tour ($240 per person, combining a seaplane flight with three tasting rooms), multi-day tours, art workshops, corporate team-building workshops, customized private tours, and seasonal spa/accommodation packages with partner resorts.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and predominantly transactional: customers book online, by phone, or via email, with pricing per person or per package, gift certificates as an alternate purchase mode, and group sizes typically capped at 4-14 guests. The company operates a customized 15-passenger Art Shuttle (now supplemented by a partnership with Coastal Rides), leverages a curated network of over 1,000 local artists and 12 regional breweries/distilleries, and co-markets bundled packages with accommodation partners (Shades of Jade Inn & Spa, Painted Boat Resort, Gibsons Garden Hotel). Distribution is supplemented by travel-agent/wholesale relationships and university partnerships, while marketing relies on the company website, email VIP membership, social media, the annual Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, and customer testimonials. There is no proprietary technology platform; bookings run on the Zaui system and the public site is built on Squarespace.

Name

Sunshine Coast Art Tours

Legal name

Nomad Travel Ltd.

Website

https://sunshinecoastarttours.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sunshine Coast Art Tours is a BC-based tour operator (subsidiary of Nomad Travel Ltd.) offering curated art studio, brewery, distillery, culinary, and corporate team-building experiences across the Sunshine Coast, serving leisure tourists, corporate groups, and celebrations via direct booking and resort partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Tourism Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Art, Street Art & Creative Scene Tours (THAJAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

History, Heritage & Museum-Focused Study Tours (THAKAGAN), Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE)

Keywords

• Art studio tours
• Brewery tour services
• Culinary walking tours
• Corporate team building
• Guided tourism experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Sechelt

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Guided Art and Brewery Tours: Day tours visiting artist studios, galleries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries across the Sunshine Coast. Includes transportation in customized 15-passenger Art Shuttle, lunch, snacks, beverages, and historical commentary.
2. Flights to Flights Ale and Air Tour: Premium 6-hour combination tour including seaplane flight over Sechelt Inlet and visits to three tasting rooms. Price point of $240 per person includes flight, lunch, snacks, and guided shuttle service.
3. Gourmand in Gibsons Food Tour: Private fine dining walking tour through Gibsons Landing restaurants with paired wines and cocktails. Currently unavailable but previously offered as a premium food and wine experience.
4. Corporate Team Building Workshops: Customized team building experiences including 'Connectivity Through Creation' metal mandala workshop at 'this is it.' Design Studio. Includes transportation, charcuterie luncheon, tea ceremony, materials, and waterfall hike.
5. Multi-day Art Tour Packages: Two or more night tours including accommodation at West Coast Wilderness Lodge, breakfast, dinner, artist studio visits, workshops, and activities spanning from Pender Harbour to Powell River.
6. West Coast Zen Package: Seasonal partnership package with Shades of Jade Inn & Spa including two nights accommodation, spa treatments, dinner at El Segundo, and curated tour activities. Starting at $1500 plus tax based on double occupancy.
7. Gift Certificates: Prepaid gift certificates for tour experiences that recipients can redeem for Coast Art Tours, Brewery Tours, or Flights to Flights Tours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sunshine Coast Art Tours operates curated, transportation-inclusive day and multi-day experiences on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, taking small groups in a customized 15-passenger Art Shuttle to private artist studios, craft breweries and distilleries, and fine-dining restaurants. Core offerings include art studio/gallery tours, brewery and distillery tasting tours, a seaplane-and-brewery combination tour, culinary walking tours, art workshops, corporate team-building workshops, and seasonal multi-day packages.

Product overview

Sunshine Coast Art Tours operates as a tour company offering curated experiences focused on art, craft breweries, distilleries, and culinary experiences along British Columbia's Sunshine Coast. The company provides a portfolio of tour products centered around two main offerings: art studio/gallery tours and brewery/distillery tours. These core products include the Coast Art Tour (visiting artist studios), Brewery Tour, Flights to Flights Ale and Air Tour (combining brewery visits with seaplane flights), Bachelor Parties, Art Workshops, and Customized Tours. Extended offerings include Multi-day Art Tours and winter escape packages. Additional services encompass Corporate Team Building workshops, Gift Certificates, and a free VIP Membership program. All tours utilize the company's 15-passenger customized Art Shuttle for transportation. The company is owned and operated by Nomad Travel Ltd.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brewery Tour A 4-5 hour guided tour visiting three local breweries or distilleries on BC's Sunshine Coast (e.g., Persephone Brewing, Bruinwood Estate Distillery, Tapworks Brewing), with round-trip transportation in a 15-passenger Art Shuttle, lunch, snacks, and professional driver/guide service. Quote-based pricing for groups of 5-14 guests; walk-on ferry pickup from Langdale Terminal included; private charter tours available.
• Flights to Flights Ale and Air Tour A 6-hour premium combination tour featuring a 25-minute seaplane flight over Sechelt Inlet with Sunshine Coast Air plus visits to three tasting rooms, lunch, snacks, historical commentary, and shuttle transportation. Priced at $240 per person with a 4-6 passenger minimum/maximum.
• Coast Art Tour A full-day guided art tour visiting three artist studios or galleries with behind-the-scenes access covering genres including painting, sculpture, street art, glass, ceramics, photography, digital imagery, woodwork, textiles, jewellery, and metal work. Includes transportation, lunch, snacks, and optional conclusion at a brewery or distillery; customizable to group preferences.
• Multi-day Art Tours Extended two-or-more-night art journeys from Pender Harbour to Powell River, including accommodation at West Coast Wilderness Lodge, breakfast, dinner, artist studio visits, workshops, and activities such as hiking.
• Customized Tours Tailored tour experiences for birthdays, corporate team building, travel agent packages, university/college art programs, and specialized itineraries, with group rates and special discounts for schools and art organizations.
• Corporate Team Building Quote-based corporate team-building workshops at 'this is it.' Design Studio in Roberts Creek featuring the 'Connectivity Through Creation' metal mandala workshop, plus transportation in the Art Shuttle, high-end charcuterie luncheon, Chinese Tea Ceremony, waterfall hike, materials, and snacks and beverages. Overnight accommodation available as an optional add-on.
• Art Workshops Hands-on classes taught by local artists covering painting, ceramics, glassblowing, and other crafts, ranging from beginner to intermediate skill levels with both pre-set and private teaching options. Can be combined with other tour offerings.
• Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties A 5-hour celebration tour including brewery/distillery stops (e.g., Bruinwood Estate Distillery, Sunday Cider, Persephone Brewing), beach champagne toast, and transportation in the customized 15-passenger bus, designed for pre-wedding parties.
• Add Some Colour to Your Winter Seasonal winter 1-2 day luxury art tour package partnered with upscale accommodations (Shades of Jade Inn & Spa, Painted Boat Resort, Gibsons Garden Hotel), including hot mulled wine, artist studio visits, spa time, and access to winter activities.
• Gourmand in Gibsons Food Tour A private fine-dining walking tour through Historic Gibsons Landing featuring multiple restaurant courses (Brassica, Drift Café and Bistro, Lunitas Mexican Eatery, Smitty's Oyster House) with paired wines, a tasting stop at Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Co., and cocktails. Currently marked as unavailable for booking.
• Gift Certificates Prepaid gift certificates redeemable for Coast Art Tour, Brewery Tour, or Flights to Flights Tour experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1000 artists and hundreds of studios accessible through year-round tours
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Coastal RidescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation partnership providing expanded transportation services for Sunshine Coast Art Tours. Coastal Rides enables more flexibility and accessibility for tour participants, allowing the company to handle transportation logistics while customers enjoy art studio visits, brewery tours, and bachelorette parties.
• Sunshine Coast AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of the exclusive 'Flights to Flights' tour combining brewery/distillery visits with a 25-minute seaplane flight over Sechelt Inlet. This partnership creates a unique premium experience not available elsewhere.
• Sunshine Coast Olive Oil Co.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood tour partner for 'Gourmand in Gibsons' experience. Provides tasting stop featuring local and international delicacies and gin cocktails. Part of six-restaurant food and wine tour offering.
• Bruinwood Estate DistillerysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured in brewery/distillery tours and food tours. Known for award-winning limited release small-batch spirits. Provides tasting experiences as part of tour packages.
• BrassicasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant partner in Gibsons Landing featured in the Gourmand in Gibsons food tour. Offers starter courses with paired wines as part of the culinary walking tour.
• Drift Café and BistrosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDining destination in Gibsons Landing for food tour experiences. Finishes the Gourmand in Gibsons tour with dessert and paired wine.
• Lunitas Mexican EaterysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant partner in Gibsons Landing offering entree courses with paired wines for the food and wine walking tour experience.
• Smitty's Oyster HousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeaside oyster bar and restaurant partner for culinary experiences. Featured as part of supporting local culinary choices in the region's food and beverage scene.
• West Coast Wilderness LodgesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-day tour accommodation partner providing excellent coastal lodging for extended art journeys from Pender Harbour to Powell River. Includes breakfast and dinner as part of tour packages.
• Shades of Jade Inn & SpacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxury spa accommodation partner for 'West Coast Zen' and winter escape packages. Provides two nights accommodation with breakfast baskets, two 75-minute Jade Stone Massages, and spa services. Co-markets seasonal tour packages.
• Painted Boat Resort Spa & MarinasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUpscale accommodation partner for winter art escape packages. Provides hotel guests with winter tour options including studio visits, workshops, and spa amenities.
• Gibsons Garden HotelsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccommodation provider partnering for tour package distribution. Offers convenient lodging option for art tour participants visiting the Sunshine Coast.
• 'this is it.' Design Studio (Robert Studer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates corporate team building 'Connectivity Through Creation' workshops using natural elements and metal works. Co-creates unique team bonding experiences with collaborative metal mandala design. Located in Roberts Creek.
• Nomad Travel Ltd.coreOthersParent company and sole Canadian partner to People to People Student Ambassador Program (created by President Eisenhower). Owned and operated by Douglas Bevans. Has safely traveled over 11,000 students throughout Canada. Website: nomadtravel.ca
• Sunshine Coast Arts CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts organization supported by Sunshine Coast Art Tours. Company volunteers at the council by placing artists' work on walls and helping with exhibition set-up. Central hub for arts events and community support.
• Sunshine Coast TourismsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal tourism organization partnered for visitor referrals and destination marketing. Helps promote the Sunshine Coast as an arts and cultural destination.
• Sunshine Coast Art CrawlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship annual three-day art event that has put Sunshine Coast art and artists on the map. Introduces hundreds of studios to newcomers. Sunshine Coast Art Tours serves as transportation and curation partner for the event, operating 365 days a year as a year-round extension of the Crawl.
• Community FuturessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity economic development organization supporting small businesses on the Sunshine Coast. Partnership provides business support and networking for tourism operators.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Airbnb Experiences: Global experiences marketplace where individual guides and small operators list curated local tours. Competes for traveler attention and provides an alternative booking channel for Sunshine Coast-adjacent art and brewery experiences.
• BC Ale Trail: Province-wide craft beverage trail and partnership network that includes the Sunshine Coast. Comparable as a marketing and distribution channel for brewery tour traffic; Sunshine Coast Art Tours is itself a partner on the trail.
• Discover Vancouver Tours: Established Vancouver tour operator offering city sightseeing and day-trip packages. Overlaps with Sunshine Coast Art Tours on day-trip feeder geography but lacks the art-specialization and artist-studio access moat.
• Viator (Tripadvisor): Global online marketplace for tours and activities. Functions both as a competing distribution channel and indirect competitor as travelers use Viator to discover or book comparable BC tours and experiences.

Regional players

• Tofino Tourism: Regional tourism body promoting Tofino and Pacific Rim region experiences. Comparable as a coastal BC tourism aggregation point, though without Sunshine Coast Art Tours' niche art-studio focus.
• Whistler Vacation Tours: BC-based regional tour and experience operator focused on the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Comparable as a BC premium tour operator with shuttle-based experiences, though with mountain/adventure rather than art focus.

Direct peers

• Vancouver Brewery Tours: Vancouver-based brewery and distillery tour operator offering guided tasting experiences with transportation. Highly comparable to Sunshine Coast Art Tours' brewery tour product, serving the same Lower Mainland feeder market with similar group-size shuttle format.
• Canadian Craft Tours: Multi-city Canadian craft beverage tour operator offering brewery and distillery experiences with curated transportation. Comparable in product category (craft beverage tours with transportation), geography (Canada), and group-tour operating model.
• West Coast Foodie Tours: BC-based food and beverage walking tour operator offering curated multi-stop culinary experiences. Directly comparable to the Gourmand in Gibsons and brewery tour products in terms of curated-stop model and food/beverage pairing emphasis.
• Salt Spring Island Studio Tour: Annual self-guided and curated artist studio tour on Salt Spring Island, BC. Comparable in artist-studio access model and BC coastal art-community focus, though structured as an annual crawl rather than year-round curated tours.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SunshineCoastArtTours
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sunshine-coast-art-tours

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sunshine Coast Art Tours