Businesses, First Nations, local government and industry experts gathered on March 16, 2016, for the North Island Tourism Forum 2016 to explore key ideas, opportunities and challenges facing the tourism sector on the North Island.

More than 75 delegates, including four First Nations communities, participated in the community to community forum to discuss the tourism sector on the North Island and devise an implementation plan to help businesses grow and diversify the regional economy of the Northern Vancouver Island.

This was an opportunity for business owners, tourism operators and local leaders to provide feedback on successes and challenges. This feedback will be used to formulate an implementation strategy to enhance economic development, attract investment and support the growth of businesses in the area.

The forum was facilitated by the Regional District of Mount Waddington to:

• Identify North Island Tourism priorities.
• Work toward extending the tourist season and length of stay.
• Share ideas and make contact with tourism industry stakeholders.
• Listen to guest luncheon speaker Keith Henry, CEO of Aboriginal Tourism Canada.
• Learn about the growing importance of Aboriginal Tourism.

The Regional Disrict of Mount Waddington will now collate the data into a work plan, and then establish a steering committee to guide the implementation phase of the priorities identified by North Island delegates.

In July 2015, the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour announced $30,000 in funding for the Village of Port Alice and the North Island Region to support the creation of an economic development and implementation strategy for Port Alice and the Regional District of Mount Waddington (North Island region). The Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) matched that investment with an additional $30,000 in funding.

Quote:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“B.C.’s tourism sector is thriving and is a key economic driver for our province. With the right economic strategies in place, tourism in the North Island can continue to contribute to our diverse, strong and growing economy. The North Island Tourism Forum is a key way for businesses, local leaders and First Nations to work together and build an economic strategy that will help communities and businesses in the North Island diversify and strengthen their regional economy.”

Dave Rushton, chairman, Regional District of Mount Waddington –

“The North Island Tourism Forum is an opportunity for the Regional District of Mount Waddington and leaders from our member communities to meet with the First Nation communities in a planning exercise that will identify tourism projects beneficial to all residents of the area. All of the land and resources in the Regional District are within the traditional territory of a First Nation.  This provides a respectful and inclusive approach to tourism planning and development that will offer an opportunity to diversify our economy and build a sustainable future for our families.”

Phil Kent, mayor, City of Duncan and chair, Island Coastal Economic Trust –

“Communities across the North Island are looking to the future, and the future is diversified. The region has an economic history tied to a few industries, and this planning session will create a roadmap to grow existing businesses and attract visitors and newcomers who will support the next phase of community revitalization and economic diversification.”

Quick Facts:

• Tourism is an important economic driver in British Columbia and Aboriginal tourism is a key sector in B.C.’s tourism strategy.
• Aboriginal tourism is one of the fastest-growing tourism areas in B.C. and the British Columbia government wants to ensure the province remains a global leader in this exciting sector.
• Since 2008, the B.C. government has supported the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC's (AtBC) development and marketing activities with a total investment of $8 million (by the end of 2015-16).
• Vancouver Island, one of six tourism regions in the province, represents 20% of provincial overnight visitation and 16% of related spending.
• Browning Wall near Port Hardy is considered the best dive site in British Columbia and one of the top five cold-water dives in the world.
• Northern Vancouver Island is home to elaborately carved totem poles, including the world’s tallest, in Alert Bay.

Learn More:

North Island Tourism Forum: http://www.northislandtourism.ca/

Island coastal Economic Trust: http://www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/

Regional District of Mount Waddington: http://www.rdmw.bc.ca/

District of Port Hardy: http://www.porthardy.ca/

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/