Community assessment of Indigenous language-based tourism projects in Haida Gwaii (British Columbia,Canada)

Abstract

Research into language-based tourism programming is rare. Aside from a few studies that consider the language/tourism nexus broadly, research has failed to examine the community context in which development takes place or the impact of communities on the choice of suitable projects. This study assessed the relative merits of 12 proposed language-based tourism projects to support the development and revitalization of Haida language. This research was conducted in two phases: initially, informal focus groups were used to identify key criteria affecting development, which were then used as a means of reflecting on the proposed projects from the perspective of the community. The results show that the two projects with the greatest potential include Impromptu Cultural Performances and Increased Signage in Haida Language. The level of community support contingent upon their ability to (1) find suitable partnerships, (2) secure adequate approvals, (3) hold long term industry potential, (4) deepen speaker opportunities, and (5) moderate high level political concerns. This research fills a gap in the literature by offering evidence to support projects best suited to the needs and aspirations of the community and introduces a necessary distinction between language use in tourism settings versus language planning in tourism settings.     

Touristic Development and Water Sustainability in Banff and Canmore,Alberta, Canada

During the past decade the towns of Banff and Canmore, located in the Bow Valley Corridor of Alberta, Canada, have faced intense touristic, recreational and residential developmentpressure.Both communities have experienced significantinvestment and obvious growth in residential, resort and other tourism infrastructure. These changes have stimulated concerns regarding ecological,economic and social impacts of touristic development and triggered questions regarding its sustainability. This paper outlines the nature of touristic development activities in the Bow Corridor and, in particular, identifies water supply and waste water treatment issues related to touristic and residential growth in the towns of Banff and Canmore. Efforts of local municipal officials to deal with the impacts of residential and visitor demand on water supply and treatmentinfrastructure,including demand-and supply-side managementactions, are noted. Sustainability principles for water management, produced by the Canadian Water Resources Association, are used as touchstones to identify the incorporation of sustainability concepts and principles in planning and management of water resources in the Bow Valley Corridor. The paper concludes with comments concerning efforts to attain sustainable water managementas a componentof sustainable tourism in the Bow Valley Corridor.