Forest Stewardship Plans Have Recently Been Amended. I am pleased to report that the West Fraser Mills Ltd, the 100 Mile House District Manager and the Cariboo Chilcotin planning forester for BCTS have proactively contacted CCCTA with notice of proposed amendments for our review. Please review the attached documents and provide me with written notice of any concerns or comments so that our Advocacy Committee may provide written comment on behalf of Cariboo Chilcotin Coast stakeholders. I have not yet received any notifications regarding the Central Coast; if you are aware of any details please let the office know.

Correspondence excerpts: BC Timber Sales (BCTS) was created to develop Crown timber for public auction to establish market price and cost benchmarks. BCTS staff have recently completed draft amendments to their FSP in response to objectives in a Land Use Order, relating to the management of wildlife, wildlife habitat, lake shores, visuals and biodiversity. In accordance with Section 21 (1) (c) of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation we have been notified of our opportunity to review and comment within the next 30 days on the amended BC Timber Sales Forest Stewardship Plans for:

• Quesnel Forest District; and
• Central Cariboo & Chilcotin Forest District.

Submit written comments to Sean Donahue, RFP, BCTS – Cariboo Chilcotin Business Area – 200-640 Borland Street, Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T1 and copy our office.
 BC Timber Sales Williams Lake    BC Timber Sales Quesnel

Correspondence excerpts: The 100 Mile House Timber Supply Review, initiated in August of 2011, is now moving into the completion of its first main component, the data package. This information will be used in timber supply analysis, which the Chief Forester will use to assist in his Allowable Annual Cut determination expected in the summer of 2012. Please review the data package, provide comments or concerns prior to March 16, 2012 regarding the information contained in the data package and inform how your interests may be affected by an AAC decision. Submit written comments to Patrick Byrne, District Manager – 100 Mile House District – Box 129, 100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0 and copy our office.
100 Mile Timber Review

Correspondence excerpts: West Fraser Mills Ltd has prepared a mandatory amendment to their Forest Stewardship Plan to include a number of strategies that address objectives contained in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Integrated Management Bureau Land Use Objectives dated April 18, 2011. The amendment also addresses the addition of approved Wildlife Habitat Areas and other revisions to existing strategies. Submit written comments to Ernie Schmid, Planning Supervisor – 4200 North MacKenzie Avenue, Williams Lake, BC V2G 2V5 or email ernie.schmid@westfraser.com and copy our office.
West Fraser Amendment

Aboriginal Tourism BC New Five Year Plan– the next phase: 2012-2017. The Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC) is a non-profit, stakeholder-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Aboriginal tourism industry. AtBC continues to be a national and international leader in the development of an authentic Aboriginal cultural tourism industry in British Columbia.
Today the Aboriginal cultural tourism industry in BC provides an estimated 3.8 million visitors opportunities to experience Aboriginal owned accommodations, restaurants, galleries, outdoor activities and attractions. The interest in authentic Aboriginal cultural tourism continues to increase and AtBC has designed our new five year plan to meet the growing consumer demands.

AtBC CEO Henry stated: “We are excited to release the new AtBC Five Year Plan that identifies our six priorities from 2012-2017. Aboriginal tourism visitors spent an estimated $203 million between 2006 and 2011 and we expect future visitor revenues to spend an estimated $320 million between 2012 and 2017. Therefore the new plan requires a new $10 million dollar investment to support our industry push for market readiness, building and strengthening partnerships, focus on online marketing, focus on key and emerging markets, focus on authenticity and quality assurance, and a more regional based approach.”

AtBC CEO Henry added: “We are most proud of the fact that the new AtBC plan was designed by our industry for our industry and we believe our plan aligns well with the recent Provincial and Federal Government tourism strategies released in the fall of 2011.”

View The Next Phase: 2012-2017 - A Five-year Strategy for Aboriginal Cultural Tourism in British Columbia

CCCTA Board Meeting Schedule – if you have comments, concerns or accolades to share with the board please note the upcoming board meeting dates and advise our office a minimum of one week prior:

• February 20 – Marketing Committee


• March 1 – Finance Committee


• April 10 – Regular Board Meeting & Governance Committee


• TBA -  Advocacy Committee
  
  
  

TIABC CONTINUES ITS RESET EFFORTS AT THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL - On behalf of the TIABC Board, I wish to advise that Stephen Regan - who has been the President and CEO of TIABC for the past four years - is no longer employed by the Association effective immediately, Monday January 23rd, 2012.

Stephen worked hard to support the TIA BC board since taking on the position in 2007 and helped in the transition from COTA BC to the new TIABC. We thank Stephen for all his past efforts and wish him every success in his future endeavours.

It is a critical time for our industry and, as part of our efforts to reset the organization; we came to the realization that a change is required. A search for a new President and CEO will begin immediately and we will place an interim administrator at the TIABC offices as soon as possible to ensure that current projects are continued until a permanent successful candidate can be selected.

Kitka Neyedli will continue to run the office until we find an administrator to work with her and support her excellent efforts. We thank Kitka for her ongoing contribution.

If you have any questions I can be contacted at ldenoni@shaw.ca Lana Denoni, Chair, TIABC.

REQUEST FOR TIABC MEMBERS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN POLICY DEVELOPMENT - The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) is calling for more members to become involved in our Policy Development Committees.

We are a large, and therefore important, sector but our size and diversity also mean we have a broad range of issues that need to be addressed. Our Policy Development Committees, which have been operating for just over a year now, have become a critical step in helping us turn member issues into policy statements, which then drives our advocacy work.

Last year, we established an over-arching Policy Development Committee made up of a cross-section of our association membership. This Committee came together to play a key advisory role to the Board. Supporting this Committee we established three sub-committees in the areas of Business Environment, Marketing, and Transportation & Access. These sub-committees are hands-on, working committees responsible for the actual policy development work.

Combined, these committees provide significant 'horse-power' to our policy development process and ensure TIABC speaks as a credible representative of the tourism sector in B.C. This process is a critical precursor to effective advocacy.

To ensure we reflect the interest of the broad tourism sector in B.C. the TIABC Board of Directors reviewed, updated and approved a Terms of Reference for these committees. 

The Committees will be primarily active between February and April of each year. If you are interested in becoming involved in one of the committees, please let Kitka Neyedli know kneyedli@tiabc.ca.

Investor Challenges Chilcotin Transportation Concerns – an investor has asked the CCCTA and our stakeholders for information as they investigate proposed in region air transportation.

“We are considering the purchase of a twin engine Navajo (7 seater) that if we proceed would be licensed for commercial operation. We would like to find out if there are operators (and non operators) in the region that would also like to solve their transportation problem. The plane has IFR capabilities meaning weather is not a problem (unlike smaller single prop planes) and can land on any private or commercial strip (minimum 2500 feet). Guests could fly from Vancouver (South Terminal), Squamish or Abbotsford dependent on requirements (Vancouver is slightly higher in operating cost due to airport fees).”
Click here to take Chilcotin transportation survey

URGENT TRAVEL TRADE & MEDIA UPDATES – Please complete the Travel Trade & Media - New Product Bulletin (NPB) and return via email to our office prior to February 15th. This simple form is extremely important if you want your company/products to be represented effectively by the CTC, TBC & the CCCTA at the upcoming key professional trade and media shows. This information is also critical for us to include in our planning for the upcoming fiscal. Also, if you have any “event” or other relevant news that may be of interest to media or trade operators - please include details in the body of the email.
New Product Bulletin Form

Regional Social Media Planning Moves Ahead – Two training workshops were held in January with great participation and interest by stakeholders; with one more session planned for early spring. Watch for upcoming campaigns and links to online in our regular marketing projects!

Tourism Audit – We Are Here For You! – Our office will be contacting you to confirm that the information we have in our database for you and your business is current and accurate. There are two levels to this work – first we need to know your business exists! Second if you would like to receive our newsletter or communications relevant to your business tell us what your interests are and you will hear from us.

Exciting News about one of our Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region's operators.  Congratulations, and we look forward to more of our region's operators making the list in future! Check out this link to Trip Advisor's "Travellers Choice Awards for the Top 25 Hotels in Canada" http://www.tripadvisor.ca/TravelersChoice-Hotels

Wow, it has been an exciting and energizing last 4 months!I have learned a tremendous amount in that short time (with lots more to go) and met a handful of you. I look forward to seeing lots of our stunning region and meet more of you personally as the spring and summer brings some warmer weather and longer daylight hours. I can hardly wait!



Being a Small Part Of The Production of the 2012 Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Travel and Touring Guide was a fascinating and enlightening experience. We have such a hard working, dedicated team here. So happy to be part of it! The final product is impressive if I do say so myself. Place your orders for copies on our webpage or at gobrochures.com.



I Am Collecting Information to add to our Festivals and Events listing for 2012. Please let me know what is going on in your area. Is there anything fun that I should be checking out where you are?? Festival & Events Submission Form



I Will Be Contacting Our Stakeholders in the new few weeks to get updated information for our database. If you’d like to give me your details, please email me at cheryl@landwithoutlimits.com or call 250-392-2226 ext.210.



Anticipating Some Intriguing News from both our CCCTA and Stakeholder attended Trade Shows. In January, Kim was at the LA Travel & Adventure Show while Brad did the Florida RV Super Show. The rest of us enjoyed our real winter weather here in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.



On that note, stay warm and safe out there and remember to keep us updated on what’s new with YOU! Like us on our FaceBook page and follow us on Twitter. See you out in Social Media land……