Abstract
Abstract The provincial government of British Columbia (BC) has proactively pursued resort development opportunities in its interior towns. Traditionally dependent on extractive industries such as forestry and mining, many interior mountain communities in BC are increasingly looking toward tourism and resort-induced economic opportunities. Fueled by the movement of amenity seekers, primarily from urban areas, resort development in mountain communities has triggered several internal and external pressures. This exploratory study examines growth trends in the mountain resort industry in 5 communities in BC: Fernie, Golden, Kimberley, Rossland, and Revelstoke. The analysis is based on secondary data, followed by field visits during the months of June and July 2006, which included 30 qualitative interviews with the mayors, planners, residents, and other stakeholders in the tourism and resort sectors. Research results indicate a significant growth in resort-induced development, primarily to attract second home...
Highlights
Mountainous regions have always attracted visitors, from ancient pilgrims, explorers, and adventurers to modernday tourists
This study indicates that the relationship between new, large-destination resorts, and older, traditional communities needs to be addressed, with respect to social aspects such as corporate social responsibility, stewardship activities, interactions with residents, marketing the image of the resort in relation to community, and place meaning, and with respect to policy and financial issues, including municipal boundary issues, the tax base, and socioeconomic costs and benefits to residents related to the location of the ski hill
Our findings with reference to the 4 questions examined in the study are summarized
Summary
Mountainous regions have always attracted visitors, from ancient pilgrims, explorers, and adventurers to modernday tourists. Resort accommodations and second homes are seen as putting further pressure on existing home stock and driving real estate prices (Pringle and Owen 2006). Where substantial seasonal variation exists, for example, in the interior mountain communities of British Columbia and parts of Alberta, economic growth is characterized by seasonal employment patterns and demand for resources. These trends are very challenging to local planners and land management agencies, who struggle to balance economic growth and resource scarcity (Chipeniuk 2005)
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