October 2025: Strengthening BC’s Wilderness Tourism Voice
Dear WTA Community,
Over the past month, the WTA has been hard at work advancing the interests of wilderness and adventure operators across BC. From policy tables to community summits, our collective voice continues to shape a stronger, more sustainable path for the sector.
Recent advocacy highlights include meetings with MLAs and Minister Kang on the need for a balanced Adventure Tourism Policy framework and solutions to regulatory complexity, permitting, and insurance challenges. Through our “Ease of Doing Business” submission to the Joint Economic Growth Table, we emphasized the importance of risk-based, low-impact pathways for small operators and more transparent, timely government processes.
Together with our partners at the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), the WTA contributed to labour reform consultations and the Voice of Tourism series, highlighting how immigration pathways, work permits, and workforce programs directly affect wilderness employers and seasonal businesses across BC.
Looking ahead, we'll continue to champion solutions through the Adventure Tourism Coalition, support the province-wide Value of Tourism proposal, and advocate for policies that recognize tourism’s essential role in BC’s clean and competitive economy. Our industry is built on passion, persistence, and people- all qualities that define every operator, guide, and business that welcomes the world to BC’s wild places.
Cassandra Zerebeski
Executive Director, WTA
Stewardship Summit
The WTA recently moderated a regenerative tourism discussion at the 4VI Stewardship Summit in partnership with BC Marine Trails, Ocean Legacy Foundation, and NIMMSA on collaborative pathways supporting BC's marine and wilderness tourism legacies.
We'd like to give a big thank you to the hard working team at 4VI who executed a great event, the WTA board members and their teams in attendance, and the Roundtable discussion participants. You all played a valuable role in working towards shared operations solutions and improving visitor experiences.
Check out the Stewardship Summit's highlights and key takeaways below!
Attention Members: Upcoming WTA Insight Sessions
We are pleased to be offering a series of online member meetings on the first Thursday of every month.
Tackling Insurance Pressures together
Our first session brings wilderness tourism operators, insurers, and sector partners into a shared conversation about rising costs, risk management, and sustainable solutions. We will explore practical steps and collective strategies to help ensure operators remain protected, resilient, and ready for operations.
Date: Thursday, November 6 2025
Time: 12:00 pm (PST)
Location: Virtual via Zoom
If you have topics of interest or ideas for future sessions, please don’t hesitate to let us know via email!
Mental Health in Tourism
Mosaic Earth Travel
Operators juggle an array of challenges day to day, which can be overwhelming. Go2HR, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, offers resources for tourism operators to help foster healthy workspaces, manage stress, and more.
Check out the resource page People Working Well, and training programs such as an upcoming free virtual session on Tuesday, November 18, from 1-2pm.
Member Feature: Experience All-inclusive Ecotourism with Coastal Bliss Adventures
Spirit of the West Adventures
Want a kayaking and hiking tour, with planning and logistics taken care of? Coastal Bliss Adventures is an all-inclusive ecotourism business that takes guests on special, tailored visits to truly unique wilderness spots.
With trips out of Nanaimo and Victoria, Coastal Bliss Adventures welcomes small or large groups, including families, and offers multi-day and day trips that follow and go beyond Leave No Trace principles.
