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Turning Point Newsletter: Klemtu Tourism named one of top 10 wildlife adventures in the world
Klemtu Tourism's Spirit Bear Quest tour has been named one of the world's top 10 wildlife adventures
August 2003 Turning Point Coastal First Nations Newsletter
Peter Guttman, an award winning travel journalist, has included the Spirit Bear Quest tour on his top 10 list of Most Exciting Wildlife Adventures in the world. "Guttman says the mix of Fist Nation cultural experiences and wildlife-viewing opportunities makes Klemtu a world-class wilderness tourism destination," says Kitasoo Chief Percy Starr.
The Spirit Bear Quest tour is a five-day expedition in search of the rare Kermode or "Spirit" bears. The Kitasoo/Xaixais people call the white phase of the black bear "Spirit" bear.
Klemtu Tourism is a community owned and operated business that offers tour opportunities for nature enthusiasts and those wishing to learn about coastal First Nations culture, Starr said.
Our community opened our doors to tourist in 1996 when the first passenger ferry in 19 years landed in Klemtu, he said. "We view tourism as another option for a diversified and sustainable community economy."
Kitasoo is regarded as a leader in community tourism development, Starr added. "We have been approached by several tourism researchers to use it as a case study for community and sustainable tourism development."
Klemtu Tourism is also being considered for the Conde Nast Traveler magazine ecotourism awards. "These prestigious awards are given every year to companies and organizations that show exceptional leadership in authentic ecotourism and identify outstanding contributions to sustainable travel, " Starr said.
Klemtu Tourism: Challenges and Lessons Learned:
Starting a business in the very competitive tourism market hasn't been easy, says Chief Percy Starr.
Being located in a small, remote community means that many obstacles must be overcome, Starr said.
Klemtu Tourism's success is a result of good planning and lots of hard work, he said. "Creating interest in British Columbia's central coast and highlighting tourism opportunities ahs been tricky. Potential clients often don't even know where Kitasoo is, let alone what opportunities exist here."
One strategy being used is to promote the whole Kitsasoo package. "We need to focus on what Kitasoo is doing as a whole. The Economic development and sustainable land and resource management has been a good lever for us to generate interest."
Starr said it's important to take a slow and cautious approach when entering the tourism industry. "Networking and partnering is important. Also important is the control and management of natural and cultural resources."
Developing local capacity is essential, Starr said. "these will be the people interacting with the clients and ultimately making or braking the tourism experience for them. We train our tourisms staff in customer service, wilderness travel and leadership, wilderness first aid and cultural and nature interpretation. We conduct our training through target workshops and courses and also bring in resource people to train through job shadowing."
A unique feature of the Klemtu Tourism experience is in the inclusion of field experts, Starr added. "They add a lot to the experience. Clients are coming on our tours to be educated. Our local people are knowledgeable about cultural information. However local people are generally not a knowledgeable about natural flora and fauna. So we bring in field experts such as naturalists, to provide this interpretation. We generally run our tours with one local guide (who has had training in cultural interpretation) and one field expert. The field expert also trains the local guide through job shadowing."
To find out more on Klemtu Tourism visit their website at www.klemtutourism.com
Originally Printed in "Turning Point Coastal First Nations Newsletter," August 2003 Copyright of Turning Point Initiative.
August 2003 Turning Point Coastal First Nations Newsletter
Peter Guttman, an award winning travel journalist, has included the Spirit Bear Quest tour on his top 10 list of Most Exciting Wildlife Adventures in the world. "Guttman says the mix of Fist Nation cultural experiences and wildlife-viewing opportunities makes Klemtu a world-class wilderness tourism destination," says Kitasoo Chief Percy Starr.
The Spirit Bear Quest tour is a five-day expedition in search of the rare Kermode or "Spirit" bears. The Kitasoo/Xaixais people call the white phase of the black bear "Spirit" bear.
Klemtu Tourism is a community owned and operated business that offers tour opportunities for nature enthusiasts and those wishing to learn about coastal First Nations culture, Starr said.
Our community opened our doors to tourist in 1996 when the first passenger ferry in 19 years landed in Klemtu, he said. "We view tourism as another option for a diversified and sustainable community economy."
Kitasoo is regarded as a leader in community tourism development, Starr added. "We have been approached by several tourism researchers to use it as a case study for community and sustainable tourism development."
Klemtu Tourism is also being considered for the Conde Nast Traveler magazine ecotourism awards. "These prestigious awards are given every year to companies and organizations that show exceptional leadership in authentic ecotourism and identify outstanding contributions to sustainable travel, " Starr said.
Klemtu Tourism: Challenges and Lessons Learned:
Starting a business in the very competitive tourism market hasn't been easy, says Chief Percy Starr.
Being located in a small, remote community means that many obstacles must be overcome, Starr said.
Klemtu Tourism's success is a result of good planning and lots of hard work, he said. "Creating interest in British Columbia's central coast and highlighting tourism opportunities ahs been tricky. Potential clients often don't even know where Kitasoo is, let alone what opportunities exist here."
One strategy being used is to promote the whole Kitsasoo package. "We need to focus on what Kitasoo is doing as a whole. The Economic development and sustainable land and resource management has been a good lever for us to generate interest."
Starr said it's important to take a slow and cautious approach when entering the tourism industry. "Networking and partnering is important. Also important is the control and management of natural and cultural resources."
Developing local capacity is essential, Starr said. "these will be the people interacting with the clients and ultimately making or braking the tourism experience for them. We train our tourisms staff in customer service, wilderness travel and leadership, wilderness first aid and cultural and nature interpretation. We conduct our training through target workshops and courses and also bring in resource people to train through job shadowing."
A unique feature of the Klemtu Tourism experience is in the inclusion of field experts, Starr added. "They add a lot to the experience. Clients are coming on our tours to be educated. Our local people are knowledgeable about cultural information. However local people are generally not a knowledgeable about natural flora and fauna. So we bring in field experts such as naturalists, to provide this interpretation. We generally run our tours with one local guide (who has had training in cultural interpretation) and one field expert. The field expert also trains the local guide through job shadowing."
To find out more on Klemtu Tourism visit their website at www.klemtutourism.com
Originally Printed in "Turning Point Coastal First Nations Newsletter," August 2003 Copyright of Turning Point Initiative.