Editor:
Re: Cashing in on tourists isn't easy, Murphy's Law, July 20
Delta might be in a "better position to capitalize" on bird watching and other wildlife-viewing tourists if community leaders understood the activities and requirements of this sector.
Financial benefits are already accruing from ecotourism, although much more could be done. The Coast Tsawwassen Inn, for example, has benefited from a number of events for naturalists and birdwatchers, including the general meeting of B.C. Nature last fall.
The snowy owls on Boundary Bay drew thousands of visitors, some from as far away as Japan. Owls, eagles, whales and shorebirds are wildlife that could particularly attract tourists.
Accommodation and food are two consistent requirements of traveling birdwatchers. Additional benefits to commercial interests depend on destination marketing, the worldwide dissemination of relevant information about our community to suitable audiences and a reliable, attractive "product" in the form of excellent habitats, abundant birds and/or other wildlife, accessible viewing points and trails, local guides, an absence of incompatible uses at key sites and a strong nature interest in the community.
It is not just about Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. While an excellent spot for visitors, there are many more bird watching places around Delta than that.
Many small towns in North America and elsewhere attract ecotourists, so examples of successful strategies abound.
It is too early to dismiss the idea. Delta has not gathered any data that would inform an action plan.
In contrast to Washington state where a recent study showed the huge benefit to the economy from ecotourism, there has been no B.C. or recent Canadian study on this subject. Nor have the business community or governments consulted with birdwatchers and wildlife viewers likely to know more about the subject, despite suggestions from the conservation community for the last 20 years.
In 1992, Delta was one of 22 agencies to endorse Ours to Preserve, a report published by the Boundary Bay Conservation Committee, which included a section on the economics of ecotourism; however, the corresponding recommendation was not implemented.
Peter Davidson of Bird Studies Canada and I presented to the Tsawwassen Area Plan Committee on this topic, but our suggestions were more or less ignored.
As the writer of two guidebooks to local nature destinations, I also presented to the Mayor's Summit, as did Richard Kunz and Dana Maslovat. Again, ideas on ecotourism were not picked up.
It will take major leadership for Delta and the business community to recognize what many of her citizens do: that we are the stewards of an incredible nature-rich part of the world, well worthy of civic pride.
I hope that leadership is forthcoming.
Anne Murray
