Bella Coola Valley Develops Regional Tourism Brand And Marketing Strategy

In 2006, Bella Coola Valley Tourism received a $75,000 grant from Northern Development through the Marketing Initiatives program towards this $359,667 project. This has been a funding partnership of Bella Coola Valley Tourism, Northern Development, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Central Coast Regional District, Coast Sustainability Trust, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Western Economic Diversification

2012- The Bella Coola Valley is a gem of natural beauty within the Central Coast of British Columbia. Wilderness abounds and beckons nature lovers and backcountry adventurers who wish to get off the well-trod tourist path. It also has an alluring history; the First Nations Nuxalk people date back 10,000 years. The Valley boasts a temperate climate that encompasses the Coast Mountains, crystalline rivers and inland regions. The Bella Coola Valley lies at the head of a 100 km inlet from the outer Pacific Ocean and therefore has much less rainfall than the outer coast region.

The journey to Bella Coola is an adventure in and of itself. At the eastern end of the valley is Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, a haven for outdoor recreation. Relax with a fishing line in hand, explore a hiking trail, drift a river, hire a guide to watch wildlife, tour the petroglyphs, go horseback riding, mountain biking, air-touring, heli-hiking, – the options for outdoor adventure are only limited by your imagination. In winter, the mountains guarantee deep powder for heli-skiing, heli-boarding and snowmobiling as well as ample snow for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

With financial support from Northern Development, Bella Coola Valley Tourism has implemented a marketing strategy to diversify the area’s economy away from its traditional dependancy on the forest sector towards tourism. The initiative promotes all of the incredible recreation options available to tourism through creation of a new regional tourism brand identity, a new website, promotional materials, and maps.

"This marketing implementation project has made it possible for Bella Coola Valley Tourism to promote our area all over the world and with all the knowledge, experience and tools we now have, we will be able to continue to do so for many years to come."

Doug Baker, President, Bella Coola Valley Tourism

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Positive Economic Impacts in Bella Coola

The implementation of this multi-faceted regional tourism marketing initiative has made it possible for Bella Coola Valley Tourism to promote tourism and development of the area all over the world. This is being done using various marketing materials, promotional tools, visitor services, and industry development materials. Using this variety of tools to promote the area, it is expected to draw tourism and investment interest into the Central Coast region. As a result of this project, the local economy is able to diversify from traditional dependence on forestry and fish processing.

Marketing Initiatives

The Marketing Initiative program provides funding to support new marketing campaigns or projects that position a community or region to take advantage of opportunities that support economic vitality and diversification. These marketing projects must be new initiatives that stand alone from existing marketing activities.

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