Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism A Royal Roads University Presentation by Corey Anderson, Hannah Bai, Rudo Mazorodze, Mughis Rehman, & Chaoran Zhang

Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism Adventure Tourism Agro Tourism Culinary Tourism

Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism Community The core tenant of ecotourism is to protect and enhance community quality. It is known as a sustainable local employer, offering additional tax revenue and furthers economic diversity, 50 Stakeholders As determined through our research, most infrastructure already exists in Sooke, This ecotourism will allow for existing business to flourish and build future capacity. 30 Visitor Tourists are already visiting the Sooke region. Additional management will allow for optimized economic impact, increase visitor and resident satisfaction. 20

Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism Process of Recommendation Building: Stakeholder Consultation, Primary & Secondary Research Community Foundation for Community Growth

Tourism Resource Asset Inventory The foundation that enables development and management for a tourism plan in Sooke Adventure & Eco Tourism Accommodation, Wildlife Watching, Water Activities, Adventure Tours etc. 34 Businesses Culinary Tourism Fast & Slow Food, Restaurants, Farmers Markets‘, Brewpubs, Liquor & Spirits, Coffee Shops, Bakeries and Cafés 29 Businesses Agro Tourism 8 Businesses Farms, suppliers and agriculture activities

Gap Analysis: Optimizing Visitor Economic Impact The analysis identified gaps and priorities for future investment in tourism facilities, products and services with a view to growing visitation to the region Trail Infrastructure Public Infrastructure Accommodation Commercial Services

Stakeholder Collaboration and Secondary Source Stakeholder Input The source of our recommendations Stakeholder Collaboration and Secondary Source Secondary Sources Supporting and defining the recommendations further

Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism Target Market Recommendations: Regional, National and International Positioning Sooke as the “Recreation Capital” of Vancouver Island

Environmental Benefits Increased Revenue Environmental Benefits Property Value Revitalization Multi-use trail system: the crucial element to seamless urban and regional connection An attractive transportation opportunity to connect the community to nature and recreation

Mountain biking as a premise product: the recreation destination capital The perfect platform given the sea to sea regional park reserve, mount manuel quimper, the harbourview road trails and the newly completed harbourview park

Culinary and Agrotourism Recommendations: The Leading Hook in Travel Important factors in an overall tourism and recreation strategy supplementing adventure and ecotourism activities

tourism forum: we all work better when we work together Creating new connections between regional businesses Connecting Partners tourism forum: we all work better when we work together Guide local business by facilitators, industry experts, attendees Learn People who work in marketing try to get the attention of target. Promoting Collaboration

Sooke Regional Fishing Strategy Culinary Tourism Events Waterfront Use & Access A dedicated fishing strategy promote access and awareness to new and recommended waterfront infrastructure Farming, crabbing/shellfish hunting and sport fishing can be discussed in relation to culinary and ecotourism. Many fishing events already occur within Sooke. This can likely be optimized for maximum economic impact.

Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism Tourism Coordinator Will work with volunteer board of directors representing different tourism industries and attractions from the region. Collaboration Employed on a full-time basis by the Capital Regional District or Sooke Municipality. Support regional communication and outreach. Communication Responsible or coordinating, managing, monitoring and reporting on projects, partnerships related to priority recommendations Coordination

Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism Innovation Fund The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) leverages public resource to optimize public and private innovation Federal Destination British Columbia offers funding through their Visitor Services Innovation Fund Provincial Funding can be achieved through different business taxes such as a hotel tax Municipal Banks often partner with larger associations, municipalieis or professional organizations Private Partnership

Sooke: Adventure and Ecotourism tourism coordinator STEP ONE 01 establish innovation fund STEP TWO 02 tourism forum STEP THREE 03 recommendations STEP FOUR 04 future strategy STEP FIVE 05

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