Celebrating Tourism
Special Feature
Celebrating Tourism Week and the Development of a Tourism Master Plan for Fernie By Jikke Gyorki Executive Officer Tourism Fernie Fernie is joining communities, cities and regions around British Columbia to recognize National Tourism Week—May 27 to June 2, 2018. Tourism is an important piece of Fernie’s economy and supports social, cultural and recreational benefits for all citizens. In recognition of the many residents and businesses that rely on tourism an Aprés Work Social is being held on Tuesday May 29th from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the new Cast Iron Grill Restaurant at the Fernie Golf Club. Anyone is welcome to attend this casual networking event. In 2016, tourism in British Columbia contributed more to GDP than mining, forestry and logging, and agriculture and fishing. In 2017, Fernie had its best year with accommodation revenues up 18 per cent over 2016. Fernie welcomed over 307,000 visitors who experienced everything from Historic Downtown, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, rafting, biking, arts, culture, events and so much more. The start of 2018 is seeing the continuation of a growing tourism economy in Fernie.
In light of this trend and the challenges that growth can prompt, Tourism Fernie has partnered with the City of Fernie and Fernie Chamber of Commerce to undertake a Tourism Master Plan process starting this spring. Funded in part by Columbia Basin Trust, this Plan will engage with stakeholders and the community to look at where Fernie is today, where we want to be and identify how to get there. In today’s exceedingly competitive tourism economy, it is valuable for all stakeholders within a destination to work toward a common goal. This means not only promoting the destination but planning, funding and governing it as well. All stakeholders need to be rowing in the same direction to be successful in today’s world. A Tourism Master Plan aims to achieve this. Stakeholders in Fernie include many community organizations in addition to those mentioned above, such as the Arts Council, Historical Society, Trails Alliance, Nordic Society, Snowmobile Association and Elk River Alliance, as well as event organizers, residents, second home owners and all of the businesses that provide Fernie’s visitor experiences and services – activities, attractions, retail, food and beverage, real estate and accommodations. Engagement with stakeholders is an essential component of the Tourism Master Plan for Fernie. For more details and updates on the process please visit www.tourismfernie.com/news/tourism-master-plan.
Photo: Tourism Fernie