About the Wilderness Tourism Association
The BC Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA) was born out of a need to have an organization that would be focused on land use issues faced by nature based tourism operators. It has its roots in a previous organization called the "Wilderness Tourism Council" a group who represented approximately 850 nature based businesses during the 1980's. Ric Careless, who spent many years as a conservationist developing and preserving protected areas and is currently with BC Spaces for Nature, was the Executive Director. The council eventually blossomed into the Council for Tourism Associations (COTA) in 1993.
In 1999, after the Tourism Land Use Symposium in Vancouver, Ric Careless was approached by Brian Gunn, who with others, wanted to create an organization that would give nature based tourism operators a stronger voice in dealing with forestry and land tenure issues. With cooperation from COTA, the WTA was born. Brian became the President of the WTA and Ric served as the first Executive Director, a position he held until 2006. Our present Executive Director is Evan Loveless, who joined us in January of 2008. Today, the WTA works to improve communications between tourism operators, governments and other
industry sectors with respect to wilderness conservation and access to
wilderness tourism opportunities. On a day-to-day basis, the WTA consults with a wide
variety of government and non-government organizations, and other
industry sectors to keep abreast of issues, policies, trends and
research, and puts forward our concerns and recommendations. The organization has
helped members across BC with individual and collective interests,
needs and issues. In addition to the issues of land tenure and forestry, the WTA also helps operators with land use conflicts, marine use planning, making park use affordable, taxation and preserving wild salmon.
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The Wilderness Tourism Association exists to ensure the ongoing viability of our industry through the protection of the wilderness tourism land base.
The WTA believes that wilderness tourism is a viable and sustainable economic enterprise, and that BC's wilderness tourism operators must have a strong voice in determining how the lands upon which they depend are planned and developed.
To ensure that the wilderness tourism industry's requirements are recognized and incorporated in land use decisions, the WTA is undertaking organizing, advocacy, and education to profile the contribution of our industry to the provincial economy.
The Wilderness Tourism Association is managed by an elected Board of Directors.
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The WTA’s membership includes businesses, sector associations, and Regional, City and Community DMOs, as well as associate members such as industry suppliers and educational institutions. Members span all aspects of wilderness or nature based tourism, and all regions of the province. Current sector association members include: BC Fishing Resorts & Outfitters Association, BC Guest Ranchers Association, BC River Outfitters Association, Guide Outfitters Association of BC, Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC, and Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC. Many business members have membership in more than one sector association as well as WTA. Each member is entitled to one vote at AGMs and general meetings of the organization/society. For more information on membership please see our Membership page.
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Executive
President:
Brian Gunn - Strathcona Park Lodge
Vice-President:
Kevin Smith - Maple Leaf Adventures
Secretary/Treasurer:
John Howard Caton - Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts
Directors
Ric Careless - Ethos Environmental
Jim DeHart - BC River Outfitters Association
Scott Ellis - Guide Outfitters Association of BC
Andrew Jones - Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures
Allyson Rogers - Siwash Lake Ranch
Gilles Valade - Thompson Rivers University
Peggy Zorn - Ecotours BC
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Click here to read bios for the WTA Board Executive (PDF document).
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Executive Director - Evan Loveless
Director of Membership and Development - Sam Purin
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In the spirit of environmental stewardship, wilderness tourism operators are adopting practices that will ensure the sustainability of the industry and the natural environment on which wilderness tourism depends.
1 Promote Wilderness Appreciation and Enjoyment
- Provide experiences that foster enjoyment, appreciation, and sensitive use of wilderness.
2 Provide Quality Guest Experiences
- Meet or exceed customer expectations
3 Conserve Natural and Cultural Resources
- Contribute to the ongoing integrity of valued natural resources and cultural places.
4 Environmentally Sustainable Practices
- Use the best available practices for sustainable tourism, development and operation.
5 Relationships with Local Communities, Businesses and Governments
- Provide ongoing socio-economic benefit for local, regional and host communities.
6 Respect Cultural Values
- Understand local traditions and practices and present authentic cultural values.
7 Responsible Marketing
- Provide accurate information that leads to realistic expectations.
8 Sustainable Wilderness Tourism
- Knowledgeably advocate for wilderness tourism that is sustainable; environmentally, socially and economically.
The comprehensive document Code of Conduct for BC's Wilderness Tourism Operators which outlines the guidelines qualified members will practice is available here for display and printing.
Read/Print the WTA Code of Conduct - PDF Format; 5 Pages; File Size 208KB
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