IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
Fernie’ s current tourism success is a result of hard work, energetic organizations, collaboration and a sense of community pride. Essentially, people, working together. Tourism is unique this way when compared to other industries, perhaps most of all in the cooperation and partnership required to deliver the‘ experiences’ sought by visitors and the community alike. Public and private sectors jointly provide a large number of visitor amenities including attractions and activities as well as the supporting infrastructure like roads, land use and water systems. The opportunities outlined in this report are a result of a community-wide effort and the implementation of the recommended actions can only be achieved through the cooperation and participation of many individuals and organizations in the community.
To facilitate continued success in tourism and the effective roll out of this master plan and associated projects / actions it is imperative that the following steps occur:
• TMP received and recognized by Tourism Fernie Board, Fernie Chamber of Commerce, Regional District of the East Kootenays and the City of Fernie Council and Staff. Creation and commitment to a Tourism Master Plan Champions Group that meets at least quarterly and includes:
• Development of Partnership Agreements to clearly articulate roles, responsibilities within organizations and between the organizations to achieve the TMP goals and action implementation
• Alignment of RMI, RDS and MRDT with the TMP as well as other City plans such as the Official Community Plan
• Support for the facilitation of tourism-specific stakeholder / sector working group sessions at least annually
• Commitment postcard or other effort to engage the tourism sector in working toward the vision and goals and industry activities outlined in this plan
• Collaboration with regional and provincial tourism partners and agencies including areas of alignment within the Highway 3 Corridor Destination Development and other related tourism plans.
RECEIVING THE TOURISM MASTER PLAN
The final TMP should be formally adopted by the leadership at Tourism Fernie, the City of Fernie, the Regional District of the East Kootenay and the Fernie Chamber of Commerce. Receiving the document and supporting the implementation steps such as the Champion Group and Partnership Agreements is a critical step to sustaining and building on the momentum developed over the past months. Receipt of the plan should be well documented and shared publicly in order to reflect the importance of the plan.
“ The tourism industry incorporates numerous sectors and services that are all interconnected as it address the needs of the visitor / traveler. Accommodations, food establishments, retail shops, activity providers, transportation providers and services, local infrastructure and amenities and much more play a role. As such collaboration and partnerships are critical in evaluating, planning, developing and managing the destination to ensure success and sustainability.”
Jikke Gyorki Tourism Fernie Executive Director