Innovative Practices - Visitor Experience
- Crazy Creek Waterfall and Suspension Bridge
Located in Central, BC between the towns of Sicamous and Revelstoke, along Highway 1, is the natural attraction of Crazy Creek Waterfall and Suspension Bridge. Crazy Creek offers visitors the experiences of viewing a waterfall up-close and walking over the waterfall via a suspension bridge and boardwalks. In 2000, Vic Bates purchased the 160 acre land which encompassed the waterfall, and in 2002, he decided that the waterfall is a national treasure that should be shared with everyone; therefore in 2004 he opened the business. In the future, Vic hopes to expand the business so that visitors can tour an old village settlement site and learn about the mining and logging history in the area.
- Kootenay Rockies Tourism mobi
Kootenay Rockies Tourism is the first DMO in Canada, and perhaps the World, to offer full online travel information services to mobile users, which can be accessed at kootenayrockies.mobi. “This is the ultimate tool for flexible travel,” says Chris Dadson, President of Kootenay Rockies Tourism. “Mobile web sites will revolutionize the way travelers experience a destination.”
Travellers are able to receive detailed visitor information and they are hot linked to websites and phone numbers of tourism operators, resorts, and activities. All the basic information available will comply with Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) payment programs (pay by information downloaded, not time used) and there are options to click through for more detailed information, video, images and sound clips.
- A Rover's Rest Bed and Breakfast
This unique four star accommodation is a BC approved Bed and Breakfast. It is located in the Shuswap Region near Sorrento off the Trans Canada Highway at Blind Bay. Co-owner, Kimberly May has both an accounting and hospitality degree that contributes to the business’s operations. ‘A Rover’s Rest B&B’ has been in operation since 2001 with a 10-29 percent growth rate each year. The owners have developed business-to-business partnerships where the focus is providing a regional benefit for everyone, so A Rover’s Rest is not the sole business benefiting.
- The Burner: New experiences from old industries
In the mid 1980’s, Ray first had the idea that a beehive burner would be an interesting place for a pub and over the years he continued to put the plan together. When the local beehive was decommissioned, Ray went through the process of acquiring the structure. Renovations were needed to strengthen the structure back to the proper building code regulations. After renovations were done, the structure was dismantled and moved across the highway to its new location. The beehive burner was rebuilt and Ray began construction on the inside of the pub.
- Baillie House Information Centre
The Heritage Society has operated Baillie House since 1998 as a public green space and heritage site. This year is the first that it is being used as a visitor information booth. They are utilizing both paid and volunteer staff. It is an amazing experience for visitors because many of the volunteers have lived in Merritt their entire lives and have an incredible bank of local knowledge to draw upon. Staff members also offer free tea or coffee to visitors encouraging them to spend a bit more time learning about Merritt and the property itself. Visitors can explore much of what Merritt offers through brochures (which are racked free of charge for local businesses).
- Telegraph Cove
Telegraph Cove was a thriving community in the early 1920's consisting of a tiny cannery and sawmill. It has a rich and colourful history during the days when logging and fishing were the main sources of income for the area. The community has been preserved as close to its original condition as possible through the incredible efforts of the past and present owners of the town, but mostly, by the recent owner, Mr. Gordie Graham.
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