After a year of extensive renovations, QXMC hopes to fully reopen Gorge Harbour Marina Resort this Spring.
“We are getting closer to hopefully a grand opening on May 31st, where we can provide a resort that is worthy of its name,” explained Marco Bedetti, General Manager of the Klahoose First Nation management corporation.
Continue reading Preparing For A Grand Reopening of the Gorge Harbour Marina ResortOver the last few months CCEDA has been working with a Canada-wide but Comox-based consulting company called Tourism Cafe, on proposals for the future of tourism on Cortes Island. The process is nearing its completion, but islanders have one more chance to participate and make their opinions and priorities known.
On January 31st at 4pm, CCEDA will sponsor a “virtual public meeting” — the last in a series that started in Fall 2023 — at which some preliminary findings will be presented and one final round of community input gathered. The end product will be a formal report with an analysis of the local “visitor economy” and recommendations for the future.
Currents interviewed Kate Maddigan from CCEDA, who has been coordinating this effort.
Continue reading Imagining the Future of Tourism on CortesEditors Note: There were once plans for a cruise ship terminal in Campbell River. The facility was built just before the recession of 2008, at which point the cruise ship companies opted to stick with their tried and tested routes, as well as older terminals like Vancouver and Victoria. Never-the-less, cruise ships continue to pass between Campbell River and Quadra Island. They are also visible from Smelt Bay and parts of Mansons Landing in Southern Cortes Island.
By Seth Forward, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Cruise ships bring cash, and lots of it. For a city such as Prince Rupert facing a huge infrastructure deficit, funnelling thousands of potential customers into the small coastal town could be the boost it desperately needs to get back on its feet.
But catering to the international cruise market comes with plenty of baggage.
Continue reading How will cruises impact Prince Rupert’s future?Editor’s note: We need a study like this on lower wage earners living on Cortes and Quadra Islands, as well as Campbell River.
By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tofino, BC – With tourism’s major contribution to Tofino’s economy, the industry itself is “less likely” to offer the region’s living wage, according to a recent report.
While the costs of food, shelter, and transportation increase, tight food budgets are likely as locals cut corners to shoulder expenses.
In early November, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust published their biannual Vital Signs report revealing the regions living wage of $26.51 per hour is almost 10 dollars over the province’s minimum wage of $16.75.
Continue reading Cutting corners on healthy foods: How do Tofino’s lower wage workers get by with rising living costs?
The Klahoose Wilderness Resort’s second full season is over.
“We’re only open from May to the middle of October,” explained Chris Tait, the Tourism Manager.
As he reflected on this past season, one word that kept coming up is reconciliation.
“It’s 100% owned by the Klahoose First Nation. From the beginning, as we built the resort, that was front and center. We wanted all of our experiences at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort to reflect the traditions, reflect the culture. Part of that is a reconciliation piece, bringing people into the Klahoose territory. Making sure we have Klahoose First Nation guides leading those guests, whether they’re going on a boat tour through Toba Inlet – which is my background – or sharing their culture at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort.”
Continue reading Klahoose Wilderness Resort: Tourism as a Vehicle for Reconciliation and Culture
