Tourism Managament Student Projects
Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound has a thriving tourism sector, but pressures from visitor use have been growing over recent years. In supporting the destination operators for many years, the Capilano University Tourism instructors and classes have produced wonderful projects to benefit the sector.
Some of their more recent projects have been developed in partnership with HSBRIS as part of our collaborative partnership with the university. Working with Kara Walker’s Tour 435 classes, the projects were aimed at:
Connecting students to the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Region
Providing experiential learning during the research projects
Informing students about UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
Kara’s students in Applied Project Management have tackled the following topics:
Researching rules/protocols for the use of the UNESCO brand upon receiving the designation. Fall 2021 final deliverable “Hear the Howe Sound”.
Researching best practices and examples of other Geoparks and Biospheres in Canada and worldwide that successfully leverage the UNESCO brand to attract people and revenue to their organizations. Spring 2022 final deliverable “Communicating the Significance of a UNESCO Biosphere Region”
Offering strategies and specific tactics to generate revenue for the not-for-profit organizations managing and governing the UNESCO Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region.
Feasibility of the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Amazing Places program for the region. The students researched the guidelines for the program and examples of other UNESCO biospheres where the program is active. They provided recommendations for selecting locations in the region. Lighthouse Park was used as an example of an Amazing Place that would meet the criteria specified. Fall 2022 final deliverable “Amazing Átl’ka7tsem: Howe Sound Biosphere Region Campaign”.
Signage along the Sea to Sky highway and where there may be opportunities for improving and updating the messaging for visitors to the Biosphere Region. Spring 2023 final deliverable “Signs of the Sound”. Reports on: QR Codes, Cultural, Sustainable and Responsible Tourism, Existing Signage Analysis, Global Sustainable Tourism Council Destination Criteria.
The Spring 2023 class studies the Green Step Sustainability Toolkit that is being rolled out by Destination BC’s Vancouver Coast Mountain region. The aim was to make recommendations on how we can support this rollout and encourage the certification. Students participated in the presentations by Green Step and interviewed tourism organizations in the Howe Sound region striving toward certification. The final deliverable resulted in recommendations for support and four case studies of Fergie’s Cafe, Bowen Kayaking, The Sandman Hotel and Sunshine Coast Tourism.
