Value of Wilderness Tourism

Wilderness tourism (or nature based tourism as it is commonly called) is a key contributor to the economy of British Columbia and a significant private sector employer. Direct tourist expenditures on wilderness tourism products in British Columbia is approximately $1.5 billion, not including the tourism supply services (hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc) that the sector supports.

The wilderness tourism sector also represents 26,000 direct full-time jobs and some 40,000 jobs in total. According to BC Stats these jobs on average are relatively high- value jobs, adding over double the value of the average retail services job. In addition, wilderness tourism is the main driver of all tourism in BC, which in total represents 132,000 direct jobs

Advocacy and Education

Resource and land use decisions are made every day, which harm the natural values that are the foundation for our tourism sector. Negative policy and regulation requirements are also often barriers to entry and/or prove burdensome to existing tourism operators. The WTA is working hard to secure a sustainable operating environment.

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Environmental Stewardship

Wilderness Tourism operators fully understand the importance of maintaining a high quality environment to their success, and are developing environmental policies and stewardship practices to reduce impacts on the environment.

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Wilderness Stewardship Fund

WTA members make a connection between tourism's economic contribution and the importance of redirecting some of that benefit directly to stewardship and conservation of the environment so that both can be sustained. Your donation can make a difference too.

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