Since we began an update of Cortes Island's community tourism plan in the fall of 2023, there have been four in-person community meetings, two online community sessions, a survey that generated 50 responses, research and several interviews with targeted individuals.
The final report is now available! This new plan is the result of a lot of hard work on the part of our community. Cortes Island has shown that it values tourism that works as a force for good. The report's recommendations support a “regenerative” approach which respects our local environment, culture, and the carrying capacity of the island.
In the next five years, a strategic approach is needed, given that Cortes is a destination with little capacity to increase visitors in peak season. In the short term, quick wins can be achieved by:
- Focussing on educating and connecting visitors to existing paid activities, services and experiences that will increase spending per visitor
- Growing the visitor economy
- Fostering responsible behaviours
The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA) will now be finding ways to advance the report's 17 recommendations, and we look forward to your helpful comments or suggestions.
Many thanks to all who participated in this effort, and to Destination BC for making this project possible.
Please download the report here: