PROJECT BACKGROUND
Fernie and Regional District of the East Kootenay Area A region( view PDF map of RDEK) has continued to see growth in both tourism( out-of-town visitors coming into the area) and recreation( area / local residents enjoying the outdoors). RDEK Area A is located in southeast British Columbia with the Alberta border to the east and the USA border to the south. The Area A boundary includes the land and waterways in the Elk Valley, from north of Elkford down to Elko and Grasmere, but doesn ' t include the municipalities of Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford which are governed by the municipalities. The growth in use of area trails, lands, lakes and rivers outside municipal boundaries has created a variety of opportunities, needs and challenges that require a collaborative effort to address for long-term management and sustainability.
The growth in locals and visitors engaging in outdoor activities further increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic with more people experiencing nature and wide-open spaces. Although the pandemic decreased overall visitation in 2020 by approximately 26 % in Fernie, the community was one of the least effected in the tourism’ s overall downturn in BC, Canada and globally due to most visitors to the area being from drive-markets such as Alberta, BC, the Prairies and NWUS. Since pandemic restriction lifted in 2022 Fernie’ s tourism economy has rebounded to pre-COVID levels especially during the non-winter seasons of spring, summer and fall. Pre-COVID( 2019), tourism in Fernie reached its highest levels to date, almost doubling since 2010. In 2019, annual visitor spending and annual visitor numbers was estimated at over $ 150 million and 460,000 respectively. It is due to this growth and the need to ensure long-term sustainability that this project came together.
The RDEK Area A & Tourism Fernie Sustainable Tourism Project was created in 2020 as a result of Fernie’ s Tourism Master Plan( TMP) with funding support from RDEK Area A, as initiated by Area A Director Mike Sosnowski, who had been a member of the Tourism Master Plan Task Force and Champion Group. Mr. Sosnowski engaged Tourism Fernie to lead this project and ensure alignment with the Tourism Master Plan. Fernie’ s Tourism Master Plan was created to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of tourism in and around the community. The Plan developed a vision and mission for tourism, and guiding principles to support future actions and decision-making.
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