WTA News and Events

As most members should now be aware, the Joint Review Panel community hearings for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project (pipeline and tanker port/route) are now underway. For more information about community hearings and ways to participate in the Joint Review panel refer to the Joint Review Panel website:http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca/clf-nsi/hm-eng.html  The WTA has registered to provide an Oral Statement at one of the community hearings and will be developing a position paper on the issue. We will circulate this to members once complete. 

You may be aware that the BC government is revisiting legislation regarding resource roads - the Natural Resource Roads Act (NRRA).  A presentation on a new strategy leading towards legislation was provided to delegates of the Nature Based Tourism Summit.  Some of the key issues and concerns of a Natural Resource Road Act include:

• When and how tourism operators might need to be responsible for access roads as "Users"?
• What kinds of associated costs might be involved as natural resource road Users?
• What kinds of liability might be associated with resource road responsibility.

Please visit the Natural Resource Road Act Project website where you will find a policy discussion paper and presentation and the opportunity to provide comment/input.  Comments will be accepted until December 15, 2011.  Members are also encouraged to provide input to the WTA for our submission to Government.  WTA representatives will also be attending a NRRA workshop on Dec 7-9, 2011.

WTA Members noted in CTC Signature Experiences Collection

In it's effort to have Canada stand out in the marketplace, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is building a collection of travel experiences that will be used to showcase to the world what Canada is all about.  This collection is called the Signature Experiences Collection® (SEC) and several WTA members have been included in this notable group.  Joining Randy Burke and Blue Water Advenutres' Great Bear Rainforest Experience are:

Using social media, travel media relations and web marketing, CTC's marketing and sales teams will draw on these experiences to capture the attention and imagination of consumers around the world, and to entice them to visit Canada now.  Other WTA members that feel that they deliver engaging experiences such as those listed above are invited to apply to become part of the SEC.  An application can be found on the SEC page of the CTC website.

WTA Blanket Security (Bond) Agreement

If you, as a tourism operator, make any land improvements (i.e. any structures) as part of your crown land tenure you require a performance or security guarantee (a bond).  For some operators these bonds can be substantial.  The WTA is looking into the option of a Blanket Security Agreement (a group bonding program) for members, to lessen the financial burden on any individual operator.  To move forward with this program we need to gauge member interest in a bonding program.  The amount of interest will give us a better indication of how much of a bond we need to post and how much it will be per member involved.  For more information or to indicate your interest in a bonding program please contact Evan Loveless (Executive Director) at evan@wilderness-tourism.bc.ca or 250-336-2862. 

Nimmo Bay 360 App

Nimmo Bay Resort recently launched a new App from Apple iPad and iPhone called Nimmo Bay 360.  The application builds on the 360 video produced by North Studio 360, which has had over 9 million hits since it was launched 9 month ago.  This exciting new App is gyroscopic and interactive as the user in control of what the helicopter sees throughout 360 degrees on the touch screen. In addition to being very cool this App is our best way to describe to people what their experience will be when they come to Nimmo Bay and British Columbia said Craig Murray of Nimmo Bay. Find it at the App Store.

Restless Josie to air on CHEK TV
 
Restless Josie's (www.restlessjosie.com) wanderlust inspired adventure sports and travel show will air on British Columbia's CHEK TV (www.cheknews.ca) beginning this fall. Hosted and directed by Josie Boulding, a Campbell River raised, Courtenay based photographer and videographer, Restless Josie's first season includes 13, 30 minute episodes shot on location in Canada. Read the full media release here .

Launched as an Internet travel show, Restless Josie remains true to its roots as an independent and eclectic show focused on adventure sports and exotic locales. The show's emphasis is dramatic action in spectacular locations with a great soundtrack backing it up. Click here to see a media kit for Restless Josie. Restless Josie can also be contracted to develop a promotional video for your operation. Find out more at www.restlessjosie.com .

International Wildlife Management Symposium - December 8-9, 2011; Richmond, BC  (Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel)

The 2011 Nature Based Tourism Summit and WTA AGM was held in Kamloops Nov 17 -19.  This year the BC Wilderness Tourism Association teamed up with the BC Fishing Resorts and Outfitters Association, and the BC Guest Ranchers Association to create a great, and informative event.  The 2011 Nature based Tourism Summit was also co-sponsored by Thompson Rivers University.  In addition to the respective Association AGMs, Summit workshops and sessions covered many key industry topics including: Land and Resource Use,  Crown Land Tenures, Tourism Taxation, Social Media Marketing and Green Tourism Certification.  Thank you to all delegates, speakers and sponsors for contributing to this great event.  We would also like to thank the summit planning team: Sam Purin, Maria Banman, and Nicolle Dupont for making the 2011 Nature Based Tourism Summit a success.

2012 Summit Info

Date: November 2012

Location:  TBA