Tourism Harrison River Valley Strategic Plan

Tourism is one of the Harrison River Valley’s main economic drivers, employing 800-1100 people regionally and generating 40-50 million in regional spending each year. Done right, tourism can bring many benefits to communities; doing it right requires proactive planning and ongoing governance for community success. 

Tourism Harrison River Valley is embarking on a Destination Strategic Tourism Plan that will clarify a shared community vision for tourism, and strategies to achieve it. The plan will build on the assets that have made tourism and collaboration successful to date, leverage what the Harrison River Valley is good at, proactively align with community expectations, and identify new visitor experience opportunities and strategies for meeting a changing visitor need and demand. 

More than any other industry, tourism requires collaboration and partnering amongst local governments, Indigenous communities, regional and provincial organizations as well as local residents, business groups and operators. A strategic tourism plan is a document informed by the community and developed by a group of stakeholders with a broad cross-section of interests related to tourism. The planning process provides an opportunity for business, local government, cultural organizations, other community-based groups and community members to: 

  • Identify a tourism vision that supports broad community desires 
  • Understand tourism resources and potential 
  • Identify and capitalize on existing and emerging tourism opportunities 
  • Address tourism obstacles to overcome 
  • Allocate resources to pursue actions in the short / medium / long term 
  • Set the future stage for long term success 

The process for the development of the plan is: 

Phase A: Setting the Stage  January to February Phase B: Current Situation Analysis  March to April Phase C: Destination Strategic Plan Development  May to June Phase D: Implementation  June and ongoing 

The planning process will be led by WCS Engagement + Planning, who will work closely with a Task Force, comprised of the following organizations: 

The process for the development of the plan is: 

Phase A: Setting the Stage  January to February Phase B: Current Situation Analysis  March to April Phase C: Destination Strategic Plan Development  May to June Phase D: Implementation  June and ongoing 

The planning process will be led by WCS Engagement + Planning, who will work closely with a Task Force, comprised of the following organizations: 

  • Tourism Harrison River Valley
  • Village of Harrison Hot Springs 
  • District of Kent 
  • Sts’ailes First Nation 
  • Harrison Hot Springs Resort 
  • Sandpiper Resort 
  • Sasquatch Mountain Resort 
  • Harrison Eco-Tours
  • Harrison Festival Society
  • Agassiz Harrison Museum 
  • Connect Media 
  • Seabird Island Economic Development 
  • Kilby Historic Site 

 HOW TO GET INVOLVED? 

Survey: An online survey for residents and business will be conducted until May 8, 2022. This survey seeks community input on a community tourism vision, current perceptions on tourism, and our strengths and concerns for tourism. Completing the survey allows you to enter a draw for prizes.  

Resident Survey:

Congratulations to Judy Pickard who won the Resident Survey Prize Package!

Prize Package: $100 gift card to the local business of your choice 

Stakeholder Survey:

Congratulations to Bryan Cutler at the Harrison Festival of the Arts who won the Stakeholder Survey Prize Package!

Prize Package: A Tourism Harrison River Valley Marketing Package valued at $3,000 and includes: 

  • Instagram story reel with featured highlight reel 
  • Static Facebook & Instagram Post 
  • Blog Feature on the Tourism Harrison Website 
  • Blog Feature to be distributed on Tourism HRV Social Media Channels with targeted ad buy
  • 1-2 Hour Photography Shoot

Additional Information

Destination BC – 2019 Value of Tourism 
Destination BC – 2021 Market Profile 

Destination BC – Tourism Industry Dashboard 
Province of BC – Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) 

Fraser Valley Destination Development Strategy 

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport 
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada 
Indigenous Tourism BC 
Destination BC 

Stephanie Gallamore, [email protected]  

Dan Wilson, Consulting Lead, WCS Engagement + Planning [email protected] 

Share Your Adventure Using Hashtag Just up the Road

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