Comments on: Is tourism a dirty word? Not in Quebec’s L’Anse-Saint-Jean

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By: Julie Ovenell-Carter

Julie Ovenell-Carter — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:41:51 +0000

Ok Lucas, point taken: but how does a small-scale restaurant with barely enough money to pay its suppliers find money to market itself? Have you seen examples elsewhere of low-cost/big-payoff marketing that might work for Bowen’s eateries?

Also, as a recent visitor, what was your take on the physical appearance of Snug Cove? Did you find it ugly? Charming? or something in between? Really interested to hear from someone who doesn’t live with the view everyday…

By: Lucas

Lucas — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:35:42 +0000

I recently visited Bowen Island, and part of the island’s charm is definitely the slower pace of life compared to Vancouver.

Building, say, a 300-room hotel with a Top-40 nightclub in Snug Cove would detract from that ambience.

At the same time, I think there are some amenities that could be added for visitors and fit seamlessly under the “sustainable tourism” umbrella, such as bike rentals, which are currently unavailable. Finding new ways to promote the standout restaurants on the island would be another option.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:31:38 +0000

Julie,

Here’s hoping they read the comments here! As an eco-friendly traveler I would prefer to stay in a place that stimulated not only the economy but respects the locals sense of community! http://www.EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com has been my go-to resource when traveling as they list all green initiatives of a hotel even if they hire locals. I would love to visit!

By: Julie Ovenell-Carter

Julie Ovenell-Carter — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:48:43 +0000

Thanks Lisa. I’m about to go on holiday myself and this will make interesting reading. I am thinking I may have found the focus for the next stage of my life on Bowen!

By: Lisa Barrett

Lisa Barrett — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:44:57 +0000

Hi Julie

In support of the poster regarding Canmore, I have this pdf in my archives about Canmore’s sustainability planning as well as some facts about a little-known town called Banff which has both a population cap (that hey are still well under) and commercial development restrictions.
Funnily enough, they seem to be doing very well!

http://www.biosphereinstitute.org/docs/Eco-Facts-Business-Business-Planning.pdf

By: Wendy Merkley

Wendy Merkley — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:48:14 +0000

Julie you don’t have to look much further then whistler for SOME sustainable initiatives, or port (oh oh, menopause moment) either moody or coquitlam.

scandinavian countries got onto agends 21 almost immediatley after signing and if you go to great britian, prince charle’s poundbury village http://poundburyforum.proboards.com/

what poundbury and whistler have in common is a population cap….something ted nebbling implemented when he was first mayor. that has helped to save whislter’s growing density problems while benefitting land owners with pretty well guaranteed high property values.

a site that promotes education and learning as at community core names initiatives by a couple of b.c. towns: http://www.members.shaw.ca/rfaris/docs/LCdigest.pdf

national geographic’s geotourism site lists montreal as a sustainable destination http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/programs_for_places.html#where-we-do-it

bowen is OVER RIPE for susatinable initiatives but we need people and council to all be on board. no more using sustainability as a buzzword and no more ‘the three legged stool’ model. gotta start getting real.

By: Louise Hudson

Louise Hudson — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:44:02 +0000

Hi Julie – You might want to look at Canmore, Alberta. I have a weekend home there and the weekender population is now over 30 %, causing much strife between different factions within the community. I wrote an article about it, published in the Calgary Herald, Life at Home section, a few years ago. There’s a researcher at the University of Calgary, Joe Pavelka, who is looking into the social/economic disparities between the various groups within the community there. I can’t find his email address but you could contact the university. Hope this helps, Louise

By: Julie Ovenell-Carter

Julie Ovenell-Carter — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:06:09 +0000

It does make sense Wendy. I wonder: can you point to a role model community in Canada? Is there a town out there that’s doing what you propose well? I find it always helps in these conversations if there is something/someone you can look to as a sort of mentor…

By: Wendy Merkley

Wendy Merkley — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:42:27 +0000

Sustainable tourism is a route Bowen can go and I had presented Bowen’s Chamber of Commerce with the notion several times. (to be ignored). Sus-tourism differs from what most define as mini-putts, waterslides etc…..it goes beyond eco-tourism.

Cut to National Geographic’s Geotourism http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/about_geotourism.html

It’s all about preserving the heritage, culture and environment. This new breed of tourists want to participate in culture, becoming part of a group or organization and volunteering. What? YES. Geotourists stay longer, thus pay longer. Work to get your community up to snuff on sustainability and you may even be chosen by National Geographic as a sustainable destination.

It’s time for islanders to get their heads out of the sand and stop using sustainability as a buzzword and something that can be bandied about in the name of new developements and projects….time to ‘get real’ on sustainable practices so we can make tourism a viable part of our economics, heritage , environment and culture.

Makes sense?