Tourism report urges transportation links to Great Bear Rainforest
VICTORIA — First Nations and tourism operators say better transportation links are needed for people to experience the Great Bear Rain Forest, described by the province as B.C.’s gift to the world.
A report released Tuesday from aboriginal groups, businesses and communities in the central-coast region concludes transportation challenges in the area are hurting tourism opportunities at a time when First Nations tourism potential is exploding in other parts of B.C.
“You have an iconic destination with the Great Bear Rainforest,” said Keith Henry, chairman of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia. “We’ve got communities who want to share their cultures, but the question is how do we really take advantage of visitors from across Canada, the United States and the world.”
The provincial government introduced legislation this month that protects 85 per cent of the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest from logging.