Innovative Practices - Product Development
- Skinner Creek ESL Guest Ranch
Located 220 km west of Williams Lake on the Bella Coola Highway (#20) is the small rural community of Tatlayoko Lake, BC. Here you will find Skinner Creek ESL Guest Ranch owned and operated by Julie and Doug McMann. They moved from Langley in 2005 with their two children when a lifestyles change and the lure of entrepreneurship took hold. Accessible by a short plane ride from Vancouver, or by highway, Skinner Creek ESL Guest Ranch offers a unique educational experience for international students and adults who want to learn English as a second language (ESL).
- Casual Country: Communicating Regional News in the Cariboo Chilcotin
Regions such as the Cariboo-Chilcotin that span a large and diverse geographical area often have difficulty identifying with their regional neighbours. Community members have trouble keeping in touch with what is going on in other areas of the region due to communication limitations (such as cellular phone coverage and high-speed internet access), and the time restraints associated with travel (compounded by the fact that most lifestyles in the region require daily time-intensive activities). Big media conglomerates based out of Vancouver and other major regional centres have an evident focus on urban and global events, leaving many rural communities with a large void in their knowledge of regional people and events. While community newspapers such as the Williams Lake Tribune provide insight into current events throughout the country and region, daily editions are rarely read by a large cross-section of the regional population.
- Willow Burl Cabins: Dry Room Service
The owners of the Willow Burl Cabins realized the potential in accommodating the unique needs of the sledding market. During their planning stage of the business they decided to find a way to dry their guests clothing quickly, cheaply, and without much mess. Al and Susie decided to build a “Drying Room” for their guests. This room was located next to the resorts laundry room which is an easy walking distance from each cabin. The room not only has enough space for every guest to hang their equipment but also has racks to hang clothing, and boot warmers for drying. In order to dry the clothes quickly and without creating the problem of mold and bacterial growth they installed a dehumidifier and ensured proper air circulation and heaters.
- Old Country Market
The Old Country Market, located in the small, rural, Central Vancouver Island community of Coombs has been in business for over 30 years. The business started in the early 1970’s when Larry Geekie and his father in law built a produce stand to sell local product. Over the thirty plus years of being in business Larry has seen his business grow from a produce stand on the side of Highway 4 into a major multifaceted and successful tourism operation. The most obvious features one notices when arriving to the market are the world famous goats on the roof of the store grazing on the grass roof top. The parking lot is full no matter what time of day it is and the market is always buzzing with energy. The market has many different products these days which include produce, an international deli with meets and cheese from across the globe, a grocery store, bakery, ice cream stand with over 30 flavours, gift shop, and garden center. Much of the produce is local and organic while the deli, grocery store and extensive gift shop includes options from all over the globe.
- Dunroven Farm B and B, Sea Cottage, Oxen Farm and Forge
At Dunroven guests are treated to a truly unique experience that owners Dan and Lauren Klingbiel refer to as “History on the Ground.” Visitors to their B and B and Sea Cottage are part of a working farm which not only offers accommodation but also an opportunity to take part in activities on the farm. Dan stated that “we offer guests a new kind of experience. One that they are looking for ” Guests have the opportunity to take lessons on an on-site 1927 coal fired forge or take part in hands-on training of working Brown Swiss oxen. Dan creates ironworks to sell in the community and there are chickens that produce not only the eggs for the delicious breakfasts served at Dunroven but that are sold in town. Guests at Dunroven are invited to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Access to television or telephone is non existent on the premises and there is a hot tub on a deck overlooking the ocean. Dunroven is a very unique business where Dan stated “people come to entertain themselves, not to be entertained and where guests can come relax and have an opportunity to sit back and watch the trees grow.”
- NK'MIP Desert Cultural Centre
Without using partnerships, it can be a challenge for a tourism operator to promote itself. A lack of funding, competition, and conflicting messages and themes from other operators are a few of the obstacles a lone business faces. When visiting the Osoyoos area, it is evident that the relationship between the OIB and the town of Osoyoos is well developed and quite supportive. The OIB is well-known for its progressive approach when it comes to promoting its economic independence. Many types of sustainability for the OIB are maintained through many partnerships within and outside of the Band. The partnerships that the NK'MIP (pronounced in-kameep) Desert Cultural Centre has developed have not only increased visits to the Centre, but also to the local area.
- Riverbend Resort and RV Park
On the outskirts of the laid back, East Coast Vancouver Island community of Parksville lies Riverside Resort and R.V. Park. Located on the shores of the Englishman River, Heather Powell and her husband Shawn took over the local business in June 2005. The already existing business had a combination of RV sites, tenting area and small cozy wooden cottages located on the property. The new owners wanted to incorporate something exciting and new and realized the potential of a new accommodation product called the Yurt. These circular tent like structures have a wooden frame and a fabric cover that offered the Powells another accommodation option to the already existing cottages. The yurts are fully furnished and have both power and running water and offer guests an opportunity to camp in style.
- Shuswap Foundation
So how does a community foundation affect tourism in a rural community? The money and resources available often go to support projects that benefit everyone whether they are just visiting the community or have lived there their entire lives. An example is the endowment fund for the art gallery in Salmon Arm that was supported by the Shuswap Foundation. With their support and knowledge of fundraising activity, the gallery was able to raise $170,000 for an endowment from which the income will be used to supply operating funds. Cultural tourism is becoming more important in many regions, and by supporting the art Shuswap Foundation:
A philanthropic organization dedicated to improving life for the citizens of the Shuswap gallery the Shuswap Foundation is effectively supporting tourism.
- Sicamous Winter Recreation Development
Building a year-round tourist season is a very difficult goal for most communities. Sicamous, a town of less than 3000 people located at the confluence of Shuswap Lake and Mara Lake has had success tapping into the winter snowmobile market. The community is located approximately halfway between Vancouver and Calgary and bills itself as the "Houseboat Capital of Canada." Approximately 200-300 houseboats are kept in Sicamous, with nearly 10 companies operating. The Shuswap region has long been a popular destination with Albertans making up a major part of the market, and Sicamous is no different. As Doreen Favel from the Chamber of Commerce puts it, "Our whole town is Alberta." The challenge then, was to extend a season typically lasting just 6 weeks from the middle of July to the end of August. The Sicamous Chamber of Commerce first began working to tap into the snowmobile market in the mid-1990s.
- Tlaook Cultural Adventures
Tlaook Cultural Adventures offers all guests quality, authentic First Nation experiences that are cultural based and that co-owner Gisele Martin stated as being an experience in which "culture and adventure go hand in hand." Tourists now have the potential to learn about important issues such as local ecology, First Nations family history, spirituality, language, and songs. Tlaook Cultural Adventures is a cultural tourism product that also prides itself in sharing the local beauty of the Nuuchah-nulth culture and being the only experience of its kind in the region. Not only are the trips authentic, but all guides are local First Nations members, and boats are hand carved by family members. This all adds to the rich experience that promotes the cultural riches of the community, and celebrates and maintains the assets of the Nuuchah-nulth culture.
- MV Uchuck III
Many regions in the province of British Columbia are not accessible by standard means of transportation. . Whether it is by air, land or sea there seems to be a lack of transportation options to some of our most amazing rural and remote areas. In many of these areas, tourism and other business sectors are unable to grow due to this lack of accessibility. Without sufficient accessibility and transportation to rural and remote areas tourism is a near impossibility. By offering travellers viable transportation options regions can increase the size of their potential tourism market and the number of visitors travelling to the area. Once transportation is improved then other types of businesses have an opportunity to thrive such as accommodation and other service sector businesses. There are very few examples within the province of innovative businesses that are addressing the issue of accessibility to rural and remote areas. Until the issue of accessibility has been dealt properly, rural and remote communities will continue to struggle in the field of tourism.
- Skeena Kayaking
To fulfill his visitors' needs, Joe has made his business completely mobile by purchasing 60 kayaks, designing and building his own trailers and buying two (soon to be three) vans to pull the trailers. He does not limit his mobility by having permanent infrastructure at a specific launch site and instead sets up a temporary seasonal structure to house gear and supplies at Kloya Bay where the majority of his shorter day trips occur.
INNOVATIVE PRACTICES - DOWNLOAD HERE
- Culture Shock Interactive Gallery
Culture Shock is an interactive gallery owned and operated by three sisters; Andrea, Barb, and Donna Cranmer of the ‘Namgis First Nation of Alert Bay, BC. Influenced by the rich traditions of the 'Namgis people, this gallery offers much more than just a gift shop. Culture Shock focuses on an authentic cultural experience through offering cultural workshops: canoe paddling, weaving workshop, story-telling and a traditional salmon barbeque.
INNOVATIVE PRACTICES - DOWNLOAD HERE
- Old Masset Longhouse
In 1998, Christian White, an internationally respected master carver began an apprenticeship long-house building and carving program for aspiring artists of Haida Gwaii. Following in the tradition of Haida culture, Christian White is a mentor and teacher to his students. With a holistic approach, Christian leads an apprenticeship program for the construction of Longhouses in Old Masset on Haida Gwaii. Each summer, Christian takes in an average of four apprentices. Students from previous years return to assist with large projects.
INNOVATIVE PRACTICES - DOWNLOAD HERE
- 'Ksan Historical Village
The Workshop (also called the House of Wood Carving) located at ‘Ksan and the creation of the Kitanmax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art help to address the major issues that were preventing the rejuvenation of the Gitxsan culture and arts. Many of the artists were drawn to the program and were leaving their jobs to pursue their passion and talents. Being the first of its kind, the art school provides a four year program where students train with master carvers who are skilled in the traditional style and techniques. They program is dedicated to the "renewal and passing on of Northwest coast design to future generations.
INNOVATIVE PRACTICES - DOWNLOAD HERE
- Ice House Gallery
Kathy Bedard and Lynne Hill were two artists looking for a place to display and sell their work and that of other local artists in the Prince Rupert area. When Prince Rupert opened its doors to cruise ships in 2004, the ladies saw an opportunity to set up a market that would place local artists in the path of passengers looking to get their hands on local products.
INNOVATIVE PRACTICE - DOWNLOAD HERE
