Legislation Committee
After 7 years of lobbying for changes, WTAY had success in affecting the Raft (Special Purpose Vessel) Regulations. Transport Canada responded to issues raised by WTAY which would have gravely affected rafting tourism businesses in the north.
Environment & Lands Committees
Lobbied YESAB and Energy, Mines & Resources (EMR) on the impacts to wilderness tourism if the Wernecke Winter road and airstrip proposed by Cash Minerals was approved. The winter road was approved but the airstrip was not. The land use permit is for three years and Cash Minerals must adhere to the conditions recommended by YESAB. WTAY urged the Yukon Government to consider the long term socioeconomic impacts to the tourism industry that projects like this will have.
Submitted concerns regarding the Spring 2008 Oil and Gas Request for Postings and urged government to withdraw a parcel of land because of its significance to tourism and suggested that government allow the Peel Land Use Planning Commission to complete a land use plan for the area before any more parcels of land are released to the oil and gas industry.
We continue to lobby for the certainty that land use plans and good land use policies provide all industries. In the absence of land use plans, WTAY will have to deal with threats to our industry on a case by case basis.
Participated in Peel Watershed Land-Use Plan Workshop
Working with the Yukon Government Heritage Resources Unit to adopt Historic Resources Best Practices for Wilderness Tourism.
Supported the Memorandum of Understanding between the Tourism Industry Association and the Mining Industry to have communication protocols to avoid land use conflicts.
Supported Parks Canada’s proposed expansion of Nahanni National Park Reserve
Requested results of the Human/Wildlife Confilict Workshop that none of the Board could attend.
Commented on the draft legislation for Yukon Species at Risk Act
WTAY participated in the CPAWS-Yukon and Mountain Equipment Co-op “Night in the Big Wild” a cross-Canada initiative to keep at least half of Canada’s wild places wild forever.
Walden’s Guiding & Outfitting won the Sustainable Leadership Tourism Award from the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon. Blaine Walden, together with his wife Mary offer owner guided and fully outfitted canoe trips. For more than 25 years, Blaine has been a shining example of sustainability in practice first as a guide and then as a successful tourism operator.
Education Committee
Responded to survey to help shape the National Occupational Standards for Outdoor Adventure Guides
WTAY’s Best Environmental Practices for River Travel signs were translated into German. The signs were erected at 11 canoe put-ins on popular Yukon rivers by the Parks Branch, Department of Environment.
Encouraged members to educate travellers about best camping practices BEFORE they arrive by adding a “best environmental practices” link to their websites or e-mail the link to clients: http://www.wtay.com/thingstoknow.aspx
Organized a three-day Interpretation Canada Certification in Dawson and Whitehorse. A total for 40 people participated and there is a waiting list for the next one. Very enthusiastic feedback from participants. It was held in conjunction with Yukon Conservation Society Leave No Trace Training. Both courses were made possible by assistance from the Department of Tourism Product Development Partnership Program.
Organized a free Paleontology & Archaeology Seminar developed for wilderness tourism operators by Ruth Gotthardt, Archaeologist, and Greg Hare, Site Assessment Archaeologist / Acting Palaeontologist, Yukon Government.
Notified members of relevant training like Wilderness First Aid.
In conjunction with our 2007 AGM, WTAY hired ecotourism expert Carol Patterson of Kalahari Management Inc. for two educational seminars: Dollars & Sense: Ecotourism Financial Sustainability; and Balancing Profitability and Conservation.
Marketing Committee
Marketing Yukon Wild is such a major part of what we do every year that these activities are detailed in a separate report prepared by WTAY’s Marketing Manager, available on request.
Representation on Non-WTAY Committees
· Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon Board of Directors
· Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund evaluation committee
· Workers Compensation Prevention & Safety Advisory Group
Input / Consultation
Outside of committee activities, WTAY is frequently consulted on a wide range of projects and issues. Staff or directors may review projects, make submissions or be actively involved with project development. After considerable WTAY input, we look forward to the Department of Tourism’s release of both the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Industry Status Report and the Wilderness Tourism Supplement to the 2004 Visitor Exit Survey.
Partners
In conjunction with North 2 Knowledge, WTAY helped develop the LearningTravel Product Enhancement Program - operators could apply for up to $2,000 to incorporate learning travel program components into an already existing tourism product. Several WTAY members benefitted from this initiative.
WTAY’s manager continued to represent WTAY on the Board of the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon. WTAY has participated extensively in the Tourism Development Business Planning process. TIAY President Rod Taylor (owner and operator of Uncommon Journeys Ltd.) was appointed to the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) board of directors. Rod is a long-standing and active WTAY member who sits on the WTAY marketing committee. Because of our partnership with TIAY, WTAY Members are now entitled to free membership in TIAY.
WTAY continues to work with all levels of government to ensure wilderness tourism interests are understood, protected and enhanced. WTAY acknowledges the ongoing support of the Yukon Government, in particular the Department of Tourism & Culture and Minister Elaine Taylor. The Department of Environment continues to generate valuable data on wilderness tourism activities. Wilderness Tourism Licensee trip reports help us to monitor and ensure the protection our most valuable resources. Federally, Parks Canada provides valuable opportunities and services to the wilderness tourism sector.
Other organizations that WTAY has actively partnered with in the past year whose work is valuable and complimentary to ours include:
· Yukon Conservation Society
· Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society
· Yukon Convention Bureau
Information
WTAY’s main communication tool is the E-News - provides short bulletins with links to where you can get more information. Members used the E-News to sell canoes, vans, trailers and to find employees. WTAY staff will continue to upload content on our members’ website www.wtay.com
The WTAY Board of Directors meets once a month, September through May. If you would like to receive meeting minutes, please contact the office.
Administration
Maxine Mattinson, WTAY Manager since November 2002, started work as Marketing Director of Great River Journey and her last day as a WTAY employee coincides with the AGM. WTAY is pleased to welcome Janice Sibbeston as the new WTAY office manager. This is a .75 time position supporting the work of the nine-member Board of Directors. The Marketing Committee oversees the YukonWild marketing program which is managed by Pawlovich & Associates Inc. Both the office and marketing managers are available by appointment. We have a small office in the Horwood’s Mall upstairs at First Avenue and Main Street in Whitehorse.
Your comments and questions are always welcome.Contact us at:
#4 – 1114 First Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1A3
Tel: (867) 668-3369 Fax: (867) 668-3370 Email: wtay@klondiker.com
Document prepared by Maxine Mattinson, WTAY Manager
