The tourism industry in Kamloops is growing and playing an increasingly important role in the local economy.

Approximately 9% of the Kamloops labour force is employed in the accommodation, food & beverage industry. Kamloops is a stopover point for bus tour companies on route to both the Lower Mainland and the Rocky Mountains.

Considering the large volume of tourist visitors into the region, as well as visitors for conferences and trade shows, the WP/CIB have identified two viable opportunities that take advantage of these facts.

WP/CIB has a rich history and heritage as well as a world class Sports and Recreation Centre for all kinds of activities and specials events including rodeo and more. Using our Sports and Recreation Centre as a starting ground and focal point, tourism opportunities can stem from there.

In addition, the Band's relationship and knowledge of our land base and local waterways provides opportunities to develop nature tours. The Band is interested in expanding our tourism industry with a Tepee Village, expansion of the RV/Campsite area, eco tourism and related trails, cultural activities including a museum and interpretive centre, and sport fishing.

Tourism

Tourism continues to be an emerging and growing industry in the Thompson-Nicola Region. With strong growth in the eco tourism sector, the WP/CIB can enter into the fray providing land nature trails and marine tourism that educates tourists on traditional plants and animals and our uses. This builds on WP/CIB ability to capitalize on our natural resources and land base.

This also contributes to the global knowledge of these resources advocating respect and sustainable resource use. Combining First Nations culture with eco tourism is a natural partnership for WP/CIB.

Interest in First Nation's heritage and culture continues to grow. An opportunity such as this continues to bring members of WP/CIB into the tourism industry and provides partnership opportunities with other tourism businesses such as tour companies, hotels, and resorts.

Tourism is a definite stimulus to a First Nation's economy as it brings outside dollars into the community. Many local craft people can individually benefit from this activity. As well all the local service businesses can derive direct revenue from sales/service to tourists.

There is strong community support for tourism development. Eco tourism builds appreciation for natural resources and provides a means of economic return without relying on resource extraction and what can often be volatile global markets.

Less initial and ongoing capital is required for this opportunity making the likelihood of its overall success positive. It can build on the tourism industry we are creating around our Sports and Recreation Centre.

Our interest in developing a cultural museum and/or interpretive centre could dovetail with the development of eco tourism.

The WP/CIB knowledge of fishing in the area makes them the experts from a sport fishing perspective, which is also an area we wish to pursue and which can be combined with marine tourism.

•WPCIB © 2007 •