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News Release |
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For Immediate Release
July 19, 2010
Program promotes a new kind of tourism for the Northwest
The new Sustainable Tourism Certificate program provides valuable education and training for students interested in a career in tourism. The full-time, academic program is being offered at NWCC’s Terrace Campus from September 2010 through April 2011. Successful completion of first year will earn students a Sustainable Tourism Certificate. Second-year Diploma level courses are currently under development; all courses are slated for transferability to tourism degree programs offered at various BC universities.
“The Sustainable Tourism program is an opportunity for people in the Northwest to look beyond traditional resource-based economic development, and to expand on opportunities that exist to provide meaningful, sustainable and positive economic benefits to local communities, cultures and the environment,” says Seth Downs, the program’s coordinator/instructor.
Downs says Sustainable Tourism is not only about protecting and conserving the natural environment when tourists come to visit, but it is also about protecting cultures, traditions, ecosystems and local economies for future generations.
“The Sustainable Tourism program will stress the importance of collaboration among all stakeholder groups, and emphasizes a strong community-based approach for tourism development,” says Downs. “The program will highlight the rich First Nations culture and heritage of the Northwest Northwest and provide training in entrepreneurship and business skills.”
The new program will provide valuable education and training for students interested in a career in tourism, or in developing or planning a tourism project. It will expose students to the immense global tourism market and link that potential to opportunities here in northern BC. Students will review case studies of successful tourism operations in BC, Canada and the world and participate in field trips.
NWCC President Stephanie Forsyth says the new college offering encourages tourism development at a community level, with collaboration among all stakeholders throughout planning and implementation.
“Developing sustainable tourism operations is key to ensuring our resources are there for future generations,” states Forsyth. “We have a responsibility to protect and conserve the environment, local cultures, traditions and heritage sites. Sustainable tourism operations, such as the Kitselas Canyon project, that seek to educate the public about their culture and history, can provide significant economic benefit directly to local communities.”
Forsyth adds, “The College was involved in months of research and consultation with First Nations communities, other educational institutions and private industry and the feedback clearly indicated a need for more tourism education and training which would enhance the northern tourism sector. The message was any new program needed to go beyond simply teaching how to be guides or adventure tourism coordinators.”
Community stakeholders involved in the development of the Sustainable Tourism program will form a program advisory committee that will guide the program.
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For more information contact:
Dave O’Leary
Chief Information Officer
Northwest Community College
Phone: 250.638.5402
Toll-Free: 1.877.277.2288
Email: doleary@nwcc.bc.ca