In partnership with Destination BC, we are helping to deliver a new programme of work to establish a provincial network across British Columbia, focused on enhancing climate resiliency and sustainability within community destinations and the broader tourism industry. Tourism needs to be of benefit for destination communities and this work will support that, optimising the value of tourism, and ultimately leading to better economic opportunities, enhanced well-being, thriving natural habitats and ecosystems.
This initiative aims to empower communities to implement sustainable tourism practices, assist partners and local businesses in enhancing their preparedness for climate emergencies, and to reduce the impacts of extreme weather and long-term climate changes. By joining this network, communities will gain access to offerings that promote resilience and sustainability in tourism management.
The programme will offer comprehensive learning opportunities through workshops, discussions, and other engaging formats, providing communities with essential knowledge and tools. It will emphasize peer-to-peer engagement and the sharing of successes and learnings to promote collaborative growth. Long-term, communities with be equipped with the capabilities to adopt and implement sustainable tourism practices, support partners and local businesses in responding to climate emergencies and preparedness, and reducing the impacts of extreme weather events and long-term climate impacts.
The programme is designed for BC communities and community organizations that manage visitors as a destination, members of BC-based Community Destination Management Organizations, municipal governments, First Nations, First Nation Economic Development Corporations, and those with community-level experience managing climate change resiliency, adaptation, mitigation, or sustainability in tourism.
Work forms part of a larger project, the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI) is a provincial project that focuses on building a foundational program to support a resilient tourism sector that is prepared to adapt to climate change.