DRAFT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY [To be completed upon approval of this Draft Report] DRAFT i Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) for Northwest Alberta Tourism Investment Opportunities Assessment – Draft Final Report Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................................... 0 1 Purpose and Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 REDI Purpose .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Purpose of the Tourism Investment Opportunities Assessment ............................................................................................................... 2 1.3 The Implementing Stakeholders ................................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Outline of Report ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Limitations.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 2 The Potential for Tourism – Characterizing the Tourism Assets ............................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Regional Connections................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 The Economic Picture ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 2.2.1 Oil and Gas ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2.2 Agriculture.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2.3 Forestry .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3 The Culture ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 2.3.1 First Nations Asset Base ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.2 Métis .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.3 Key Historical Assets for Tourism: Fort Vermilion and Carcajou Flats ................................................................................................. 11 2.4 Location-specific Tourism Drivers ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 2.4.1 Peace River ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.4.2 Remote Wilderness Assets within the Protected Lands System.......................................................................................................... 12 2.5 Access Constraints Impacting Tourism Demand ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Management 3 Tourism Market Dynamics ................................................................................................................................................................ 16 3.1 Tourism Characteristics ............................................................................................................................................................................ 16 3.2 Longer-term Tourism Potential ................................................................................................................................................................ 19 3.2.1 REDI Region has the Product Sought by Nature-Based Tourists.......................................................................................................... 19 Sierra PlanningSierra and DRAFT May 2013 i Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) for Northwest Alberta Tourism Investment Opportunities Assessment – Draft Final Report 3.2.2 REDI Region can Develop Compelling Experiences for Cultural Travelers ........................................................................................... 20 3.2.3 There are Some Strong Adventure Possibilities in the Region ............................................................................................................ 21 3.2.4 Educational Tourism Represents a Growing Opportunity ................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.5 Aboriginal Cultural Tourism can be a Point of Difference for the Region ........................................................................................... 23 3.2.6 Catering to Local and Regional Recreation Markets Offers Potential ................................................................................................. 24 3.3 Shorter-term Opportunities ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 3.3.1 The RV and Highway Touring Markets are already on the REDI Doorstep .......................................................................................... 25 3.3.2 Sport Fishing and Hunting are Market Segments that can be Strategically Grown ............................................................................ 28 3.4 Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 31 4 Identified Opportunities ................................................................................................................................................................... 33 4.1 Opportunity #1: Base Camp and Research Station in Caribou Mountains Wildland Provincial Park ...................................................... 33 4.1.1 Existing Footprint ................................................................................................................................................................................. 34 4.1.2 The Opportunity ................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 4.1.3 Private & Community Investment Potential ........................................................................................................................................ 36 4.1.5 Implementation ................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 4.2 Opportunity #2: Fly-in Fishing Lodge in Caribou Mountains Wildland Provincial Park ........................................................................... 43 4.2.1 The Opportunity ................................................................................................................................................................................... 44 4.2.2 Private and Community Investment Potential ..................................................................................................................................... 44 4.2.3 Implementation ................................................................................................................................................................................... 46 4.3 Opportunity #3: Rocky Lane Agricultural Educational Hostel .................................................................................................................. 48 4.3.1 The Opportunity ................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 4.3.2 Private & Community Investment Potential ........................................................................................................................................ 50 4.3.3 Implementation ..................................................................................................................................................................................