The Cortes Community Economic Development Association (CCEDA), with support from Destination British Columbia and Pacific Economic Development Canada, embarked on a refresh of its 2014 Community Tourism Plan from September 2023 to March 2024. The Community Tourism Plan presents a vision for tourism on Cortes Island, highlights the characteristics of the visitors who best align with the island’s values and assets, outlines guiding principles to support decision-making, and identifies 17 recommendations, with tactical actions to advance in the next three to five years.
Process
A document review informed the plan to ensure the priorities and recommendations aligned with current government goals and objectives. The community engagement was extensive, including ten interviews with targeted individuals, four in-community and two online community sessions, and a survey that generated 50 responses. Two advisory group meetings were held to review the findings and recommendations prior to finalizing the report.
The plan aims to cultivate regenerative tourism practices and help Cortes attract visitors who share similar values to the island’s residents and appreciate the beauty, authenticity, natural environment, and unique vibe of the island’s culture. Tying Cortes Island’s tourism development priorities to a broader global perspective, each of the recommendations identified in the plan has been aligned to one, or more, of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Read the whole document here: CORTES ISLAND COMMUNITY TOURISM PLAN