Tourism Business Resources
Tourism is both an important and growing industry within British Columbia. Comprised of three main sectors – transportation, accommodation and attractions – tourism focuses on attracting visitors to the province, then meeting their needs and expectations while here. Government agencies, industry associations and retail and wholesale businesses are also integral to tourism.
Many things differ from a typical retail or service operation when developing a tourism business:
• The market is less readily defined, as it is subject to changing trends, the influence of high- and low- demand seasons and to varying consumer expectations
• The product is diverse, ranging from the development of a hotel to the marketing of ocean-kayaking adventure trips
• The scale is equally diverse, ranging from a one-person boat rental outfit to a resort with 500 employees
• The industry is resource dependent, with the overall management and retention of BC’s natural resources of utmost importance to the long-term viability of the tourism sector
• Many developments take place in less accessible and populated areas to take advantage of BC’s spectacular locations; a developer must often assess unusual access or servicing requirements
The information links below can assist you in your tourism business.
Is your business Market Ready?
Tourism BC, in partnership with the tourism industry, developed a set of market ready standards to assist B.C.’s tourism industry remain competitive with other national and international tourism destinations. Tourism BC promotes the province’s great tourism experiences to visitors from around the world and works to attract visitors to your business. It is important that the businesses the organization presents to the world operate to standards that match visitor expectations.
Tourism BC Resources for Industry
Tourism BC has a number of resources available to assist tourism operators, communities and sectors in growing and developing their businesses. Explore the collection of tools by following this link to the Tourism Industry Resource area of the Tourism BC website.
www.jti.gov.bc.ca/industryresources
HelloBC® Listings Program
The HelloBC® Listings Program connects consumers to tourism products they may want to experience while visiting BC.
Tourism businesses, including Activities, Attractions, Golf, Ski, Transportation, Events and Accommodations can purchase a listing on HelloBC.com which includes its network of international websites for the UK, Germany, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and our French-language website. Accommodation properties that are inspected and approved can also purchase a listing in the Approved Accommodations Guide.
The Opportunity
Tourism BC’s HelloBC® Listings Program provides tourism businesses with exposure to millions of consumers whom they might not otherwise reach. This includes exposure to over 9 million visitors to the HelloBC.com worldwide website network, Tourism BC’s call centre and over 100 Visitor Centres.
More information and the form to enroll in the HelloBC® Listings Program.
PUBLICATIONS
Ministry of Tourism
Starting a Tourism Business 2007
Environmentally Responsible Tourism
Ads And Brochures That Sell 2007
TBC Travel Media Relations Guide
Tourism Online Resource Centre
Contacts;
District of Maple Ridge Economic Development
Sandy Blue, ABC*
Manager Strategic Economic Initiatives
*IABC Accredited Business Communicator
District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9
Tel: (604) 467-7319 Cell: (604) 992-3205
Fax: (604) 467-7335
Are you looking to build a business in the District of Maple Ridge? You may find that the most difficult part of starting a business is the initial set-up and paperwork, the District, through BizPaL, is providing prospective business owners with easy, one-stop access to related business information. To access BizPaL, click here
Pitt Meadows
Kate Zanon
CEO
Pitt Meadows Economic Development Corporation
12492 Harris Road
Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2J4
Phone: 604-465-9491
Fax: 604-465-4986
www.pittmeadows.bc.ca
Tourism Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
Kristina Gervais
Executive Director
12492 Harris Road
Pitt meadows, BC V3Y 2J4
www.maple-ridge-pittmeadows.com
Chamber of Commerce
Dean Barbour
Executive Director
604-463-3366 Ext. 224
[email protected]
Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association
PO Box 530
22362 Lougheed Highway
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
V2X 2T4
Phone: 604-467-2420
Fax: 604-467-2421
Email: [email protected]
AGRI-TOURISM ACCOMMODATION
There is a recognized need to increase the capacity for overnight stays in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows. Currently there is seasonal camping available only at Golden Ears Provincial Park. This is a popular destination for camping during the prime summer months, especially on the weekends. The shortage we have identified is summer weekends, but more importantly – stays of 1 or 2 weeks. Because of the reservation system in place at Golden Ears, campers stake out their spots for the weekend and fill the park in a way that doesn’t allow for longer term stays, making us miss out on revenues to all tourism providers during the week.
In our search for solutions to the shortage of campground facilities, we found that the District of Maple Ridge has zoning in place to allow Agri-Tourism providers to provide up to 10 sleeping units in total of seasonal campsites, seasonal cabins or short term use of bedrooms including bed and breakfast bedrooms.
The complete Act and its details can be found here.
The District of Maple Ridge zoning bylaw can be found here; 3691/6044/6744 Agricultural
Please contact us if you would like more information on this opportunity.
Reviews
Hello,
I live in Pitt Meadows and was wondering if the District has a place whereby “made in Pitt Meadows gifts” can be purchased – either on Harris Road at the Information shop, or other shops in Pitt Meadows.
Thank you.
Judy
— Judy