Southern Gulf Islands Community Tourism Strategy

Date: 2007-2008

EcoPlan completed a comprehensive community tourism study for the Southern Gulf Islands, a network of six islands off the coast of Vancouver that is a major regional tourist destination. The study helped quantify the indirect and direct economic impacts of tourism using a stakeholder-driven structured decision-making process. Through this process, EcoPlan helped stakeholders identify and prioritize several cost-effective strategies to support the tourism industry while also minimizing negative socio-economic and environmental impacts. Following on the project, a visitor awareness and education campaign is being developed. This campaign is aimed at reducing the amount of visitor vehicle trips and encouraging visitors to make more sustainable transportation choices.