KOOTENAY ROCKIES DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY HIGHLIGHTS NAKUSP Photo: Dave Heath THANK YOU WHAT’S The Kootenay Rockies Destination Thank you to our tourism partners Development Strategy is the who participated in the process by INSIDE outcome of a two-year, iterative attending community meetings, process of gathering, synthesizing, participating in surveys and interviews, 1. INTRODUCTION and validating information with engaging in follow-up conversations, 2. REALIZING THE POTENTIAL tourism partners about the current and forwarding relevant documents 3. AT A GLANCE status and future direction of and insights. Special thanks to the tourism in the Kootenay Rockies. members of the working groups for 4. GEARING UP each of the planning areas within We thank the Indigenous the region, as well as the Kootenay communities on whose traditional Rockies Destination Management territories we travelled and gathered Committee and the facilitation team. for our community meetings. KOOTENAY ROCKIES | 2 1 INTRODUCTION ROSSLAND WHY A STRATEGY? WHERE IS IT FOR? Photo: Dave Heath The Kootenay Rockies Destination Development The Kootenay Rockies tourism region lies in the Strategy was developed to enhance the southeast of the province, with the Canadian Rockies competitiveness of the Kootenay Rockies region over and Alberta border as its eastern limit, and the the next 10 years and beyond. The strategy was Columbia Mountains (Purcells, Selkirk, and developed as part of Destination BC’s Destination Monashee Ranges) on the west. The region is within Development Program to support and guide the the shared Traditional Territories of the Ktunaxa long-term growth of tourism in British Columbia. This Nation, the Sinixt Nation, the Okanagan Nation, and document presents some of the key highlights of the the Secwepemc (Shuswap) peoples. Kootenay Rockies regional strategy. It includes the Columbia River and its many tributaries along with the Columbia Wetlands — a WHO IS IT FOR? RAMSAR designated wetland of international The Kootenay Rockies Destination Development significance — as well as countless freshwater lakes. It Strategy is a guide for tourism partners as they work has a wealth of provincial parks, including some of the collaboratively to grow the visitor economy. The most visited in non-urban areas of BC, as well as four strategy will be reviewed and updated to reflect of the country’s national parks. The region boasts changing tourism objectives, priorities, and market eight destination ski resorts, as well as five developed conditions. Results will be tracked and learning hot springs resorts and several natural hot springs outcomes will inform future implementation activities, pools found in more rustic settings. thereby optimizing their eectiveness in increasing economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits for the entire Kootenay Rockies region. KOOTENAY ROCKIES | 3 1 INTRODUCTION HALCYON HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE AND SPA WHERE DOES IT FIT? important to ensure that the strategy becomes Photo: Dave Heath embedded in local, regional, provincial, and federal The Kootenay Rockies Destination Development decision-making processes. It is only by working Strategy integrates the outcomes of four planning collaboratively, in an integrated way and with a shared area strategies — West Kootenays & Revelstoke, agenda, that the full potential of the Kootenay Highway 3 Corridor, Columbia Valley, and Highway 1 Rockies tourism region will be realized. Corridor — into one overarching regional strategy. It identifi es the key priorities within each planning area strategy which would benefi t from being advanced in AT A GLANCE an integrated way at a regional level. It is one of six regional destination development strategies that will In what follows, the distinctiveness of the destination be prepared for the province as a whole, each one is summarized, and its vision for tourism introduced. developed through the integration of its respective While acknowledging the challenges the sector faces, planning area strategies. In turn, the regional its potential for growth is set out in terms of key strategies will inform a provincial plan, thereby opportunities and experience development potential. ensuring a truly integrated and cohesive combination A consideration of the key strategies and associated of bottom-up and top-down destination planning. actions then follows. While further detail on each of these elements is available in the full strategy, they are brought together “At A Glance” to demonstrate A KEY IMPERATIVE the scope of the integrated nature of the approach being taken. The recommendations contained within the Kootenay Rockies Destination Development Strategy form the foundation for additional focused and aligned discussions regarding implementation. It will be KOOTENAY ROCKIES | 4 2 REALIZING THE POTENTIAL CRANBROOK A DISTINCTIVE DESTINATION Photo: Kari Medig The stunning natural assets of the Kootenay Rockies region include majestic mountains, crystal clear lakes, wetlands of international signifi cance, and several mineral hot springs. National and provincial park designations protect and make accessible many aspects of this natural heritage for visitors. It is a place where deep, dry, and reliable snow thousands of years. While mining, forestry, supports world-class destination ski resorts, transportation, and agriculture have long been backcountry lodges, and nearby friendly towns. The important industries, tourism is increasingly being variety, distinctiveness, and appeal of the region’s recognized by residents and local governments as an natural wonders provide endless opportunitities for essential economic contributor. outdoor activities, touring, and camping. The region boasts a growing number of world class trail experiences A SHARED VISION for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and various The vision for tourism development over the next 10 mechanized activities. years refl ects the distinctiveness of the destination A wealth of freshwater lakes and rivers provide and the ambition of its communities to ensure that opportunities for a wide range of paddling, whitewater, the Kootenay Rockies region is a world-class tourism and fl oat experiences, as well as exceptional angling. destination that o ers remarkable products and experiences that are authentic, driven by visitor demand, Home to the Ktunaxa Nation, the Sinixt Nation, the exceed expectations, and align with BC’s brand. Okanagan Nation, and the Secwepemc (Shuswap) peoples, this rugged area has been inhabited for KOOTENAY ROCKIES | 5 2 REALIZING THE POTENTIAL FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS “The Kootenay Rockies KEY OPPORTUNITIES Photo: Kari Medig region is a preferred four- The region faces a number of challenges, including actual and perceived safety and ease of travel; lack of season destination for infrastructure, services, and amenities to support travel quality; year-round sta constraints including skillsets passionate travellers of all ages and abilities and a ordable housing; land use confl icts; and environmental capacity. However, these challenges lead with a sense of adventure and a desire to to key opportunities to: discover unparalleled, accessible outdoor • Develop in a manner which respects environmental recreation and the authentic mountain health and community resilience and values • Improve actual and perceived safety and ease of travel culture unique to the Kootenay’s small within the region towns. The Kootenay Rockies region o ers • Build strong, collaborative relationships throughout the region travellers from near and far the opportunity • Improve the quality of visitor infrastructure to connect both to the nature that defi nes • Improve the business climate and policy framework and sustains this place, and to the people for tourism operators • Encourage the launch of additional visitor experiences that di erentiate it with their outstanding in shoulder seasons service and warm welcome to visitors as • Improve the quality and consistency of service • Recruit, train, and retain sta including the provision “temporary locals”. The tourism industry in of su¢ cient a ordable housing the Kootenay Rockies embraces • Improve accessibility for people of all ages and collaboration, leads the world in sustainable abilities, including those with access requirements tourism, and constantly builds and nurtures relationships that accelerate the region’s success as a travel destination.” KOOTENAY ROCKIES | 6 2 REALIZING THE POTENTIAL BANNOCK POINT The current and future experiences that will motivate • AN ABUNDANCE OF WATER providing unparalleled Photo: Kari Medig travel and di erentiate the destination with a opportunitities for angling and water-based activities compelling, sustainable visitor experience include: on the large bodies of fresh water. • THE POWDER HIGHWAY is readily accessible deep • CLUSTERS OF EXCEPTIONAL DESTINATION GOLF powder snow at a range of world-class destination ski COURSES as well as more value-oriented golf resorts; an unparalleled concentration of heli and cat courses, o ering a strong combined value proposition ski operations; a wealth of backcountry lodges; and and enjoyable touring routes. accessible backcountry routes. • THE QUIRKINESS, SMALL TOWN FRIENDLINESS • BIG MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE a collection of front and the many people that call Kootenay communities and backcountry experiences — including mountain “home” and serve as a backdrop for authentic stories, biking and trail-based experiences — allowing travellers old and new. of all ages and abilities