• Background
• Objectives
• Study Process

As recommended in this Strategy, a Tourism Development Strategy was prepared during 1996-97, and has served to guide the development of tourism over the past 6 years. In 2002, the members of the Revelstoke Tourism Advisory Committee recommended that the strategy should be revised to better reflect changing conditions in the local tourism industry. It was decided that revisions to the Tourism Development Strategy could be carried out ‘in house’ by the local Community Economic Development Department, and that the Revelstoke Tourism Advisory Committee would act as the Steering Committee for the development of the revised Tourism Development Strategy.

During 2000, as part of the development of a new Revelstoke Community Development Strategic Action Plan, an extensive community survey was undertaken to determine the priorities and concerns of Revelstoke residents. Over 68% of those surveyed identified tourism and hospitality as the highest priority sector of the economy for the community to develop. This was by far the most important sector for development identified by the community.

The revision to the Revelstoke Tourism Development Strategy was undertaken during 2002-03. The Revelstoke Tourism Advisory Committee acted as the steering committee for the project. During this time, Revelstoke had undertaken an initiative to develop a strategy to determine how best to market the community to outside investors. As part of this initiative, external consultants reviewed the state of the local economy and met with several business and civic leaders to determine community economic priorities and the most effective ways of promoting the community to international investors. The consultants recommended a focus on tourism development as the best way of attracting investors and of improving the local economy. It was decided to utilize the same consulting team to interview local tourism operators to obtain their input regarding the state of the Revelstoke tourism industry. This information (included in Appendix I) was used to assist in determining tourism priorities for the next five year period.
 

The overall goal of this study is to prepare a tourism strategy that provides the community of Revelstoke with clear direction relative to the development of the community’s tourism industry for the period 2003 to 2008. The specific objectives of this project include preparing a tourism development strategy which supports the following:

• Achievement of a sustainable economy in keeping with the community’s Vision Statement;

• Promotion of tourism growth and development to ensure economic stability;

• Enhancement of the growing tourism and outdoor recreation sector; and,

• Diversification of the local economy and creation of job opportunities.

The steering committee felt that the existing (1997) strategy provided a solid base. The intent of the revised strategy project was to update the existing strategy i.e. identify what has been accomplished, what still needs to be done, and establish priorities for the next 5 years.

The following activities were carried out:

1. Update baseline data (including a review of strengths and weaknesses)

2. Identify gaps / review tourism strategies from other communities

3. Consultation with the tourism industry

4. Compile information / identify priorities

5. Prepare draft strategy / circulate for comment

6. Prepare final strategy.

 
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