What is a Tourism Master Plan & Fernie's Value of Tourism?

August 2020 Update - Join us online via Zoom at 7:00pm on Wednesday September 30th as the Tourism Master Plan Champion Group presents the official Tourism Master Plan! To register please email: info@tourismplanfernie.com

INTRODUCTION TO TOURISM PLANS

Tourism has been called the gateway to rural economic development and is a significant economic sector in many towns and regions. More than just any other industry, tourism requires collaboration and partnering locally with residents, businesses, user groups and organizations, as well as with regional and provincial organizations. Done right, tourism can bring many benefits to communities; doing it right requires proactive planning and ongoing governance for community success.

A community based tourism master plan is a document informed by the community and developed by a group with a broad cross-section of interests related to tourism. The planning process often provides an opportunity for business, local government, cultural organizations, other community based groups and community members to:

Identify a tourism vision that supports broad community outcomes

Understand tourism resources and potential

Capitalize on existing and emerging tourism opportunities

Address tourism obstacles to overcome

Allocate resources to pursue actions in the short/medium/long term

Set the future stage for long-term success

TMP Task Force

Governance Team

The purpose of the task force is to collaborate on the structure, content and engagement process relating to Fernie’s Tourism Master Plan (TMP). For a detailed list of task force members see ‘About the Tourism Master Plan’ feature under Project Updates.

Whistler Centre for Sustainability

Lead Consultant

We are a non-profit organization that seeks to create change in our communities to make them more livable, resilient, equitable and sustainable. Dan Wilson is a sustainability planner specialising in tourism economic development, monitoring and evaluation, and energy/greenhouse gas emissions planning and implementation.

Vardo Creative

Supporting Consultant

Susan Rybar is a Tourism Strategist and Creative Marketer who brings more than 25 years of marketing, strategy development and business management experience, including over 13 years of direct experience working with the tourism industry in British Columbia. She has been involved in all aspects of destination management, including strategic planning, marketing, product development, research, heritage, parks, human resources, customer service training and visitor services.

Jikke Gyorki

Project Coordinator

Jikke has been the Executive Officer for Tourism Fernie since 2010. Jikke has over 25 years of tourism industry experience with a personal and professional interest in seeing tourism in Fernie be recognized as successful, innovative and sustainable.

““Tourism in Fernie is growing. The Master Plan process will be an opportunity for our business community and residents to comment on and guide that growth. The Plan will be designed to maximize tourism benefits while mitigating challenges. The Chamber looks forward to the community coming together to build goals and get to work.”
Brad ParsellExecutive Director, Fernie Chamber of Commerce
Fernie is very fortunate to have a hard working Tourism Community. Working together to grow Tourism has been an ongoing process. The Tourism Master Plan is a great opportunity to really move our community further forward. By working together and presenting a united, thought out plan, there is no doubt Fernie will continue to develop as one of Canada's outstanding destinations.
Andy CohenGeneral Manager, Fernie Alpine Resort
"Tourism has been a part of Fernie for 100 years and will continue to be for 100 more. For the first time our community will have a plan that brings together stakeholders for effective planning, implementation, marketing and management of an industry that brings many great opportunities and amenities to Fernie."
Jikke GyorkiExecutive Officer, Tourism Fernie