Sylvie Paillard
[email protected]
撸奶社区will achieve a higher profile well before 2010 if a new tourism development initiative is a success.
Tourism BC and Vancouver Coast and Mountains Tourism Region (VCM) promotional experts came to 撸奶社区Feb. 22 to brainstorm ways to sell this gem to the world, and they were thrilled to discover what they have to work with, according to Bob Kusch, director of tourism for the 撸奶社区Sustainability Corporation.
"The representatives are all in awe of what 撸奶社区has," he said. "The plethora of activities that we can promote and how many events that we actually have in the community that take place: Wild at Art, Logger Sports weekend, Soccerfest and the list just goes on and on, Test of Metal. When we started writing them all down they were floored at how much 撸奶社区does offer already."
撸奶社区stakeholder groups had a meeting with representatives from Tourism BC and VCM on Feb. 22 as part of the Community Tourism Foundations development program offered by Tourism BC.
The purpose of the meeting was to review key components of the local tourism industry, highlight successes and gaps and establish priorities. This meeting served as a fact-finding mission for the Community Tourism Foundations development program and was the first step towards a more comprehensive work plan between 撸奶社区and Tourism BC.
"The information exchanged reinforced all the opportunities that are before us," said Mayor Ian Sutherland. "Clearly, we have the pieces needed to make 撸奶社区a top destination for years to come."
The stakeholder group included Sutherland and other representatives from the District of Squamish, representatives from the 撸奶社区Sustainability Corporation, 撸奶社区Adventure Centre, BC Centre for Tourism, Leadership and Innovation, 撸奶社区Chamber of Commerce, Visitor Information Centre, 撸奶社区Nation, 撸奶社区Arts Council and the 撸奶社区Town Centre Association.
The workshop facilitator Suzanne Denbak and other out of town representatives were also impressed with the level of cooperation among all local groups, said Kusch.
"One of the key things that they said, was very seldom will you see other municipalities where the advancement of tourism is so closely aligned with the Chamber of Commerce and working so closely with the business community," said Kusch. "They made the comment that they believe in many communities that is the problem, they can't move ahead because the relationship isn't the same as they see in Squamish."
Funding for the initiative is currently all coming from Tourism BC and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, but a commitment from the District of 撸奶社区may be expected in the future, according to Kusch.
"There is a potential for some need for some matching funding down the road, which we will take back to council once we know what that amount will be and what the program will be, and that's why we're in the initial stages right now to determine that," he said. "So we don't really have a financial commitment from the municipality at this point in time."
The next step in the process, tentatively scheduled for April 1, is for facilitators and tourism representatives to meet with stakeholders in specific areas, such as the accommodation or activity sectors.
"Then they'll be coming back shortly thereafter with a report to us outlining a direction that they believe that we should follow," said Kusch.
As 撸奶社区advances through the program, consultation will be required with the community, according to a 撸奶社区Sustainability Corp. news release. To indicate interest in participating in the program, contact Lesley Weeks at [email protected] or call 604-815-5080.
