Canada's Heritage Tourism Strategy

Forest and Bird, Issue 298, 1 November 2000, Page 12

Canada's Heritage Tourism Strategy

—Kathy Ombler

ith international visitor numbers to our national parks continuing to spiral upward, New Zealand’s tourism industry could be well advised to look at recent initiatives jointly undertaken by the private sector and Parks Canada in Canada’s Rocky Mountain national parks. In the early 1980s, the World Heritage Site status which overlies Banff National Park was at risk because of the impact of tourism but things are changing. e Example one Athabasca Glacier, Banff National Park: a tourist coach is descending a steep moraine wall after visiting the glacial spectacle of the Columbia Icefields, when the driver requests that all those driving on to Banff township be careful of any wildlife they might see on the roadside. "This park is the animals’ home, but each year hundreds are killed by tourist traffic. Please take care, he urges, then hands every passenger an informative brochure about the vast Columbia Icefields. e Example two a restaurant in Banff: as a young waiter delivers meals, he also provides detailed information about . local hiking routes. He explains the different forest types we will walk through, the animals we might meet, and how to behave so we disturb them as little as possible. ‘Please don’t feed the bears, he pleads. "They will eat what you leave for them but people don’t understand that the bear’s digestive system can't cope with introduced foods. They will starve during hibernation, and probably die. Such advice and information is part of a deliberate strategy introduced in Banff and neighbouring mountain parks, where Parks Canada and major tourist companies have rallied together to help ensure a balance of tourism use and wilderness preservation. Called the Banff Bow Valley Heritage Tourism Strategy, it aims to educate visitors about the natural values of

the parks, to give them a better appreciation of what makes them special. Everyone likely to come into contact with park visitors is involved — from park staff and tour guides, to coach drivers, skifield staff, shop assistants and hotel porters. As John Allard, superintendent of Banff National Park says: "We have a responsibility to help visitors understand, appreciate and respect our natural and cultural heritage so they can contribute to its preservation. We are looking for interpretative opportunities, for enhancing people’s experience here? Major commercial operators, such as Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Banff tour company Brewsters, are actively endorsing the new strategy. According to Andrew Whittick, of Brewsters, strong environmental stewardship principles are essential. ‘We are showing people our own backyard, and we are concerned that they understand they are in a national park and world heritage area, he says. "We have

also found people now want to learn something as well as be entertained so what we are trying to do is ensure they get accurate, informative and up-to-date information. Brewsters is recognised by Parks Canada as the first private sector company to officially relay park values to visitors. The company’s driver/guides undertake an extensive six week training programme and must pass exams prior to touring, so they can educate their guests about the natural wonders and wildlife of Banff, rather than just letting it all pass by their coach window. Passengers are given written information they can take away and read, such as the brochure dispensed after the Athabasca Glacier ‘sno-coach’ tour. In July, Brewsters was awarded an inaugural Heritage Tourism Award for heritage interpretation. Other Heritage Tourism Strategy measures include the ‘Best of Banff’ orientation programme, run for 3500 private sector staff, so they can share

knowledge and understanding of park values to the tourists they meet (hence the helpful waiter). There are Heritage Tourism Certification courses for guides and tourist operators, and new programmes like ‘Living with Wildlife’ which educate visitors about the needs of wildlife. John Allard says two major events planned for Banff next year are part of the new focus. The ‘Year of the Great Bear’ festival will focus on the world of bears, and an international conference will study human-use management in mountain areas. The heritage tourism strategy was borne out of the recent Bow Valley Study, written to address the issues faced by Banff National Park, where some eight million visitors annually pose enormous problems for park management. Allard says there had been some discussion in the early 1980s about losing World Heritage status because of the excesses of tourism. New Zealander Bing Lucas, vice chair of the IUCN World Heritage Committee, says the committee has now commended Parks Canada for the far-reach-ing recommendations made in the Bow Valley Study. Canada’s federal government is currently in the process of passing legislation that places a stronger emphasis on environmental protection of parks ahead of tourism interests.

recently visited

Banff National Park in Canada.