DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS HELMCKEN FALLS Photo: Max Zeddler

INTERLAKES DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS HELMCKEN FALLS Photo: Max Zeddler THANK WHAT’S YOU INSIDE The Interlakes Destination Thank you to our tourism partners 1. INTRODUCTION Development Strategy is the who participated in the process by 2. REALIZING outcome of a 16-month iterative attending community meetings, THE POTENTIAL process of gathering, synthesizing, participating in surveys and interviews, 3. AT A GLANCE and validating information with engaging in follow-up conversations, 4. GEARING UP tourism partners about the current and forwarding relevant documents state of tourism in the planning area. and insights. Special thanks to the members of the Working Group We thank the Indigenous people as well as the facilitators of the on whose traditional territories we destination development process. gathered for our community meetings including: Barriere, Roe Lake, Lone Butte, Sheridan Lake, 100 Mile House — home of the Simpcw, Tsq’escenemc (Canim Lake), and Stswecem’c Xgat’tem (Canoe/Dog Creek) First Nations. INTERLAKES | 2 1 INTRODUCTION WHY A STRATEGY? planning area is bounded by a portion of Highway 97 A KEY IMPERATIVE from 70 Mile House to 100 Mile House. To the south, The Interlakes Destination Development Strategy was The recommendations contained within the the planning area includes Bonaparte Lake, and to the developed to enhance the competitiveness of the Destination Development Strategy form the north, it includes the bulk of Wells Gray Provincial planning area over the next 10 years and beyond. The foundation for additional, focused and aligned Park while being bounded by Canim-Hendrix Rd, strategy was developed as part of Destination BC’s discussions regarding implementation. It will be Canim Lake, Crooked Lake and Azure Lake. With Destination Development Program to support and important to ensure that the strategy becomes Highway 24 bisecting the planning area east to west, guide the long-term growth of tourism in British embedded in local, regional, provincial and federal the area often sees visitors who are on a touring Columbia. This document presents some of the key decision making processes. It is only by working journey from Whistler to Jasper and want to take the highlights of the strategy. collaboratively in an integrated way with a shared road less travelled. agenda that the full potential of the planning area will be realized. WHO IS IT FOR? WHERE DOES IT FIT? The Interlakes Destination Development Strategy is a The Interlakes is one of 20 planning areas across BC guide for tourism partners as they work collaboratively AT A GLANCE for which destination development strategies are being to grow the visitor economy. The strategy will be In what follows, the distinctiveness of the destination is developed. Each planning area represents a logical reviewed and updated to reflect changing tourism summarized, and its vision for tourism is introduced. destination for visitors in and around the province. As objectives, priorities, and market conditions. Results will While acknowledging the challenges the sector faces, planning areas span across multiple jurisdictions, the be tracked and learning outcomes will inform future its potential for growth is set out in terms of key importance of adopting an integrated approach with a implementation activities, thereby optimizing their opportunities and experience development potential. shared vision and coordinated investment is critical. effectiveness in increasing economic, social, cultural, A consideration of each development priority and its This Destination Development Strategy is one of and environmental benefits for the planning area. associated actions then follows. While further detail on three strategies that will be prepared for the Cariboo each of these elements is available in the full strategy, Chilcotin Coast Region, and one of seven for the they are brought together “At A Glance” to Thompson Okanagan Region. In time, informed by the WHERE IS IT FOR? demonstrate the scope of the integrated nature of the outcomes of all relevant planning area destination The planning area is an area of lakes, rivers, ranchlands, approach being taken. development strategies, regional strategies will be and mountains encompassing the main corridor of developed. These will, in turn, inform the creation of a Highway 24 and its junctions with Highways 97 and 5. provincial strategy thereby ensuring a truly integrated Stretching across the Bonaparte Plateau to Wells and cohesive combination of bottom-up and top- Gray Provincial Park and the communities of Barriere down destination planning. and Clearwater in the east. The western side of the INTERLAKES | 3 2 REALIZING THE POTENTIAL A DISTINCTIVE DESTINATION Located in the south Cariboo, Highway 24, a 100 km long route, extends from 93 Mile House to Little Fort. Nicknamed the Fishing Highway, it passes through the small communities of Lone Butte and Bridge Lake, skirting the countless lakes located along its length. These lakes offer amazing fishing opportunities, and planning area have been highly reliant on the land and OPPORTUNITIES, AND IS SOUGHT are a dreamland for anglers, paddlers, and families resource-based sectors. Logging continues to be a looking to enjoy a vacation nature. major economic generator within the planning area, as OUT BY VISITORS WHO APPRECIATE does mining. The area has long been recognized as a GETTING AWAY FROM CROWDS More generally, the compelling quality of the natural fishing and outdoor recreation destination that appeals environment provides a rich backdrop for outdoor to families. With Highway 24 bisecting the planning TO ENJOY THE AREA’S BEAUTIFUL, recreation, nature-based pursuits, and genuine area east to west, the touring market remains an NATURAL LANDSCAPES. THE experiences. Wells Gray Provincial Park, with its important opportunity for the future. mountain views, cascading waterfalls, roaring rivers, BROAD DIVERSITY OF ACCESSIBLE alpine meadows, and azure lakes, is a key attractor. The BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES AND Park’s extinct volcanoes, lava beds, mineral springs, A SHARED VISION and glaciers provide awe-inspiring glimpses of nature The vision for tourism development in the next 10 years FRONT COUNTRY RESORTS, reflects the distinctiveness of the destination and the ambition at its best. The planning area also provides boundless OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, CULTURAL, outdoor opportunities such as bird watching, boating of its communities: HERITAGE, AND INDIGENOUS and canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain THE INTERLAKES IS AN biking, swimming, and other activities including EXPERIENCES SUPPORT A THRIVING snowmobiling and snowshoeing in winter. AFFORDABLE, FAMILY- TOURISM INDUSTRY, WHILE BEING This area is home to the Simpcw, Tsq’escenemc ORIENTED DESTINATION MANAGED TO PRESERVE THE (Canim Lake), and Stswecem’c Xgat’tem (Canoe/Dog RECOGNIZED FOR ITS YEAR-ROUND Creek) First Nations who hold vast knowledge and a NATURAL ASSETS AND WAY OF LIFE deep understanding of the land. The area also includes OUTDOOR RECREATION, FISHING, VALUED BY RESIDENTS. the municipalities of 100 Mile House, Barriere, and TOURING AND GUEST RANCH Clearwater. Traditionally, the economies in the INTERLAKES | 4 2 REALIZING THE POTENTIAL KEY OPPORTUNITIES EXPERIENCE POTENTIAL The planning area faces a number of The current and future experiences that • Already known as Fishing Highway 24, A RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE WITH will motivate travel and differentiate the the area is a recognized for its plentiful, DIVERSE STORIES challenges, including limited public and destination with a compelling, sustainable year-round, freshwasher fishing • Home to the Simpcw, Tsq’escenemc alternative transportation options; visitor experience include: opportunities and offers visitors an array viewscape degradation and tourism (Canim Lake), and Stswecem’c of lakeside, front and backcountry resorts, Xgat’tem (Canoe/Dog Creek) First asset base erosion; few purchasable PLENTIFUL PARKS AND and recreation sites to enjoy nature in Nations, who are working to develop guided and self-guided visitor activities; RECREATION SITES rustic settings. and offer experiences that connect a declining accommodation inventory; • Wells Gray Provincial Park, home to • One of the few places in the province visitors with their heritage and culture. staff and housing availability; reputational 39 named waterfalls, 22 volcanoes, where it’s possible to enjoy hut-to-hut • Opportunities to connect with cowboy damage following recent wildfires, and a unique geological features not found hiking and ski touring opportunities culture through ranch and horseback anywhere else in BC, and Murtle Lake, challenging policy environment. year-round. riding vacations. the largest non-motorized lake in • Numerous European residents and However, key opportunities include: North America; this park attracts over OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH TOURING, 250,000 visitors annually. business owners who offer opportunities • Collaboration with adjacent corridor AND RESORT AND GUEST RANCH EXPERIENCES to connect with their settlement initiatives to draw visitors into the area • Green Lake, the second most visited stories and cultural backgrounds. park in the planning area, is popular for • Highway 24 bisects the planning area • Circle route and itinerary development families, boating, and fishing due to its • Local festivals and events such as rodeos, to lengthen stay allowing visitors travelling from Jasper variety of visitor amenities. to Whistler or the Lower Mainland to pow wows, fishing derbies,

Load more