Jason Jamie Chan is an independent travel advisor who designs custom trips for clients in Western Canada. Split between his hometown of Calgary and his years in Vancouver, Jason draws on his roots in Alberta and British Columbia to help travellers experience the provinces like a local. By working directly with small local businesses and hospitality owners, he creates personalized trips that highlight the authentic food, sports, and outdoor lifestyle of the West Coast and Canadian Rockies.
Q: You grew up in Calgary and have lived in Vancouver for years. How do those two different cities influence how you plan trips?
Jason Chan: They really balance each other out. Calgary has this great, high-energy mountain culture and an outdoor lifestyle. Vancouver is much more relaxed, with a big focus on coastal food and slowing down to enjoy nature. Vancouver and Calgary aren’t separate worlds. I like to show people how easy it is to experience the rugged side of the Rockies and then head over to relax on the coast. Growing up with both lifestyles means I can give clients a trip that genuinely feels local and unique.
Q: If you were planning a quick weekend in Vancouver for a client, what would be your favourite spots to recommend?
Jason Chan: The best trips are the ones where you get an inside look at a city. Obviously, with Vancouver, the focus is on the water and the food. A great day would probably start with taking a floatplane out to a quiet lake for the morning, and then heading back to walk through a couple of local art galleries. For dinner, instead of a busy spot, I like to book a private table with a local chef who cooks with seasonal ingredients and have a nice glass of Okanagan Valley wine with my meal. It keeps the whole weekend feeling more connected to the region.
Q: Alberta and B.C. are pretty famous rivals in sports. Do you ever use that local energy when planning trips?
Jason Chan: Oh yeah, all the time. It makes the trips a lot of fun. People in the Western provinces really love sports. Hockey is big in both regions, but in Vancouver there’s also sailing and running, and in Calgary there are rodeos. I build a lot of weekend trips around these events. I’ll get clients great seats for a game, but then I’ll round out the weekend by booking them into boutique hotels and making reservations at neighbourhood restaurants. It makes a sports weekend feel like a proper vacation.
Q: Why is working with independent businesses important to you?
Jason Chan: It makes everything more personal. When booking with a massive travel agency, you’re just a confirmation number on a screen. I spend a lot of time networking and partnering with lodge owners, boutique hotel managers, and local guides in both provinces. Because we know each other, my clients get treated incredibly well. The kitchen learns their preferences before they even walk through the door, and the guides know exactly what kind of pace they want for the day. It feels like true hospitality.
Q: For someone who has already visited Banff and downtown Vancouver, where should they go next?
Jason Chan: A lot of people are looking to unplug right now, so they want to explore the areas between the major tourist stops. Lately, I’ve been planning trips into the B.C. interior and the quieter areas in Alberta. A good example is a small cabin retreat in the woods or a private campsite where a helicopter drops you off for a day of backcountry hiking. It’s really about getting away from the crowds, enjoying a private chef and a hot tub, and actually getting some peace and quiet.
