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Charting a course for coastal tourism
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November 29, 2002
Coastal tourism is an industry that contributes billions of dollars to BC’s economy. It is, in fact, the lifeblood of many coastal communities. Yet communities, governments and industries rarely consult members of the tourism industry about the course this sector should chart. Nor is there much discussion of how the industry’s lack of a clear direction, coupled with jurisdictional complexities, is intensifying existing coastal management problems.
In an effort to provide a neutral ground for members of diverse groups, including BC’s coastal tourism industry, to come together Simon Fraser University’s centre for coastal studies has organized a three-day conference. Policy Directions for Coastal Tourism will be held Thursday, December 5 to Saturday, December 7 at Harbour Centre campus and Morris J. Wosk centre for dialogue. Canadian and international experts from academe, government, First Nations, industry and non-government organizations will participate in workshops aimed at producing policy recommendations that address issues connected to coastal communities’ increasing reliance on tourism.
A key point of discussion will be the need to create a regulatory environment that is supportive of tourism development and sustainability in the coastal zone. Other key discussion points will be the need for sustainable tourism industry practices that respect the fragility of coastal environments, and the need for tourism groups and coastal communities to partner in achieving their needs. SFU professors Alison Gill, geography department, and Peter Williams, centre for tourism and policy research, will moderate the workshops.
Among the key speakers are: Stan Hagen, BC Minister of Sustainable Resources Management; Geoff Holland, special advisor, oceans department of federal Fisheries and Oceans; Ian McPhail, deputy director-general, Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland, Australia; Chief Leonard George, Tsimshian Nation’s Commission, and Stephen Owen, federal Minister of Western Economic Diversification. For further conference information see http://www.sfu.ca/coastalstudies/coastal.htm
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CONTACT
Sue Dobson, 604.291.3060, sdobson@sfu.ca
Peter Williams, 604.291.3103, peter_williams@sfu.ca
Alison Gill, 604.291.3635, alison_gill@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
In an effort to provide a neutral ground for members of diverse groups, including BC’s coastal tourism industry, to come together Simon Fraser University’s centre for coastal studies has organized a three-day conference. Policy Directions for Coastal Tourism will be held Thursday, December 5 to Saturday, December 7 at Harbour Centre campus and Morris J. Wosk centre for dialogue. Canadian and international experts from academe, government, First Nations, industry and non-government organizations will participate in workshops aimed at producing policy recommendations that address issues connected to coastal communities’ increasing reliance on tourism.
A key point of discussion will be the need to create a regulatory environment that is supportive of tourism development and sustainability in the coastal zone. Other key discussion points will be the need for sustainable tourism industry practices that respect the fragility of coastal environments, and the need for tourism groups and coastal communities to partner in achieving their needs. SFU professors Alison Gill, geography department, and Peter Williams, centre for tourism and policy research, will moderate the workshops.
Among the key speakers are: Stan Hagen, BC Minister of Sustainable Resources Management; Geoff Holland, special advisor, oceans department of federal Fisheries and Oceans; Ian McPhail, deputy director-general, Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland, Australia; Chief Leonard George, Tsimshian Nation’s Commission, and Stephen Owen, federal Minister of Western Economic Diversification. For further conference information see http://www.sfu.ca/coastalstudies/coastal.htm
—30—
CONTACT
Sue Dobson, 604.291.3060, sdobson@sfu.ca
Peter Williams, 604.291.3103, peter_williams@sfu.ca
Alison Gill, 604.291.3635, alison_gill@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca