Due to its rich natural and cultural resources,
Gitga’at Territory is particularly
well-suited for adventure, heritage, cultural
and nature-based tourism development.
As such, the industry is an increasingly
important component of Gitga’at
economic development strategies.
Current Activity:
Several tourism businesses operate in
Gitga’at Territory throughout the
Spring, Summer, and Fall months. The Gitga’at
continue to pursue mutually beneficial
relationships with these operators. These
relationships will allow the Gitga’at
to build internal capacity for tourism
while managing industry activities in
their Territory.
The Gitga'at have established tourism development
protocols with several tourism
operations. These protocols outline principles
of sustainable tourism development, guidelines
for the use of Gitga’at marine and
terrestrial resources, coordinated planning
, monitoring and information sharing procedures,
and employment and training comittments .
Operators with Protocols
Wilderness Lodge:
King
Pacific Lodge
Sportfishing Lodges:
Big
Time Fishing
St.
John’s Fishing Lodge
West Coast Resorts
Sailing Charter Companies:
Bluewater
Adventures
Duen
Adventures
Maple
Leaf Adventures
The
Ocean Light
Tourism Development Objectives
- Provide high quality, authentic tourism
products and services to visitors in
Gitga’at Territory.
- Generate employment opportunities
and economic benefits for Hartley Bay
community members.
- Maintain the integrity of the natural
and cultural resources in Gitga’at
Territory.
Planning
Tourism development in Gitga’at
Territory must be sustainable. To address
ecological and cultural integrity concerns,
the Gitga’at developed a framework
to determine area carrying capacities,
which are influenced by physical, ecological,
business, socio-cultural and institutional
factors.
To date, the Gitga’at have undertaken
numerous planning activities to provide
overall strategic and day-to-day management
direction for tourism development in their
Territory. Planning documents include:
Human Resource Strategy
Recognizing the importance of
increasing their community’s human
resource capacity for tourism, the Gitga'at leadership are
is working closely with village Elders
and School District
#52 to develop a comprehensive strategy
to address present and future needs. Identified
priorities include:
- Developing a grade 11 and 12 curriculum
to increase awareness of the tourism
industry and the opportunities it can
provide;
- Developing a First Nations post-secondary
tourism training program in partnership
with local businesses and institutions;
- Identifying candidates to fill GDC
tourism positions early and enrolling
them in the appropriate courses a local
institutions;
- Providing management training for
two Gitga’at tourism staff over
the next four years; and,
- Working with a select group of non-local
individuals and businesses to provide
necessary planning, marketing, and communications
consulting services in the short term.
The provision of training and education
opportunities to transfer required skills
to Gitga’at employees will be a
top priority. Mechanisms that will be
employed to ensure that this goal is achieved
include:
- Training and skill development through
agreements and internships with the
sport fishing and wilderness lodges
in the Territory;
- Training and skill development through
mentoring and job-shadowing opportunities
for highschool students;
- Formal recruitment of those interested
in tourism employment through job fairs;
and,
- Enrollment of two young Gitga'at in
tourism management programs at Northwest
Community College, Capilano College,
Malaspina College, or other regional
programs.
Gitga’at Tourism
In 2004, the Gitga’at developed
a tourism business plan that outlines
a suite of services and products for visitors
to Hartley Bay (some of which are currently
being offered). These experiences are
offered in an ecologically sensitive and
culturally appropriate fashion (link to
tourism page).
Products and experiences relate to three
general themes, including:
Cultural Tourism |
Featuring significant
elements of Gitga’at culture,
including seaweed and halibut harvesting,
traditional village sites, longhouses,
petroglyphs, non-timber forest product
knowledge and use, foods and feasting,
and performing arts. |
Nature-Based Tourism |
Highlighting the natural resources
in Gitga’at Territory, including
wildlife viewing, hot springs, canoeing
and kayaking, diving, remote cabin
accommodation and camping. |
Visitor Services |
These products service commercial
and non-commercial boating traffic
(as well as other community visitors).
Products include B&B and remote
cabin accommodation, meals, souvenirs,
washrooms, showers, laundromat, and
internet access. |
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