The conversation around the creation of a national park reserve has been reopened again by the province of BC. The creation of a national park has been a very polarizing topic within the community of Oliver and surrounding area.
The mission of the Oliver Tourism Association is to:
- Promote and identify tourism opportunities and activities within the Town of Oliver and surrounding area
- Encourage and support tourism initiatives that will benefit the Town of Oliver and surrounding area
- Develop and market the Destination Brand of “The Wine Capital of Canada”
There is a very clear aspect of a national park in the South Okanagan that would expand our tourism products and entice visitors here throughout the year. A national park would increase the exposure of Oliver on a national and international scale. There are also many aspects to a national park that effect other areas outside of the tourism industry like ranching and grazing tenure, protection of species at risk, recreational use, fire protection, etc.
Being that this topic is very polarizing and there are many parts to a national park reserve that affect our members in different ways, we feel we cannot represent our membership either for or against the creation of a park in its entirety. We encourage and support the growth in tourism a national park would bring but cannot voice opinions on the many other aspects that come with it.
We invite all of our members to provide feedback to the province through the protected areas framework for British Columbia’s South Okanagan: Invitation for Public feedback. This is everyone’s chance to voice your opinion. Please visit http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/
The feedback questionnaire is available for comment until October 12, 2015.
Tony Munday
Chair of the Oliver Tourism Association
Chair of the Oliver Tourism Association