Peter W. Williams

Rethinking resort growth: understanding evolving governance strategies in Whistler, British Columbia

This paper examines shifts in governance and management strategies that have occurred in response to endogenous and exogenous pressures on the mountain resort of Whistler, British Columbia. Since its inception in the mid-1970s, Whistler has pursued successive innovative management approaches that have emphasized growth. The most recent approach, integrated comprehensive sustainability planning, reflects a response to reaching the planned limits of resort development and suggests the emergence of a new “corporatist” governance model based on principles of sustainability. However, the complex effects associated with exogenous factors, such as the global economic crisis, hosting the Winter Olympic Games and the increasing political necessity of collaboration with local First Nations (indigenous peoples), raise questions concerning the degree to which Whistler is “locked-in” to the pro-growth model of governance. A path dependency framework is employed to explore and explain Whistlers evolving forms of governance. While briefly reviewing the earlier pro-growth path of Whistlers development, particular attention is paid to factors underlying the implementation and continuing challenges of the comprehensive sustainability governance model. Other issues explored include the viability of no-growth governance, the issues surrounding growth limits and the role of “The Natural Step” framework in tourism governance.

Using the Internet for Travel and Tourism Survey Research: Experiences from the Net Traveler Survey

This article presents some of the 1995-96 first-year preliminary findings of the Net Traveler Survey, a pioneering and ongoing study of the travel and tourism characteristics of Internet users. The focus is on the strengths and challenges associated with using the Internet as a medium for primary survey research purposes. The article provides tourism market researchers and managers with useful guidelines concerning survey design and operational issues, such as addressing sample bias, weighting samples, and improving survey effectiveness and efficiency for respondents, clients, and research organizations. The article contributes to the growing body of knowledge associated with the methodological development of survey design and implementation strategies for using this rapidly evolving medium.

Non-Resident Wine Tourist Markets: Implications for British Columbia's Emerging Wine Tourism Industry

Summary This paper describes key travel traits of non-resident visitors to British Columbias wine tourism destinations. It identifies Genera-list and Immersionist as being important segments of this market that merit particular attention in future destination management planning and marketing initiatives. It uses an importance-performance analysis framework to determine the key areas for management activity that need to be addressed in order to meet the travel product needs of each of these segments. The paper concludes by recommending a range of strategic initiatives that should be used by the wine industry and its tourism partners to elevate the appeal of BC wine destinations in the international marketplace. While specific to the

Shared decision-making in tourism land use planning.

Abstract A Canadian government commission dealing with environmental resources attempted to incorporate several innovative approaches for shared decision-making into its strategic land use planning process for central British Columbia. This paper describes a framework of design and evaluative criteria for guiding such shared decision-making processes. It uses these criteria to assess the efficacy of the process from the perspective of those tourism stakeholders who participated in this planning exercise. The article offers recommendations to government as well as tourism sector organizations concerning the management of future public land use planning strategies designed to fully incorporate stakeholders into such processes.

Addressing participation constraint: a case study of potential skiers

Abstract Canadas ski industry has been facing flattening market demand and declining revenues and profitability since the early 1990s. While the future is difficult to predict, it is clear that for the ski industry to continue to flourish, it will be necessary for it to develop new markets and establish a range of product development strategies in order to attract new people into the sport. Here a fundamental requirement will be to tap the potential of the non-skier market. This paper reports on the challenge-facing organisations like the Canadian Ski Council in identifying the non-skier market, converting non-skiers to skiers; and overcoming the constraints associated with skiings media image, instructional requirements, cost and time commitments — all identified as the major barriers keeping non-skiers off the ski hills. It is argued that many non-skiers have never tried skiing because they are either unaware of the sports’ benefits or that they have emotional or perceptual biases that inhibit the desire to participate. While specific marketing strategies are required to lay their concerns to rest, it is clear that a more thorough understanding of the market profile of non-skiers, what might encourage them to participate and what approaches would most effectively communicate the right message about skiing is needed.

Managing growth in mountain tourism communities.

Abstract Growth management is an approach to planning which seeks to capture the benefits of growth while mitigating the consequences. In this paper, the application of growth management techniques to mountain tourism communities is examined. Many mountain environments have experienced escalating demand from tourists in recent decades which has threatened not only the environmental quality of such places but also the social fabric of communities. An examination of two mountain resort communities, Aspen, CO, USA and Whistler, Canada, both of which have employed growth management practices, serves to highlight techniques used in such settings to address problems associated with rapid growth. The paper concludes by identifying information that mountain resort communities must acquire if they are to be successful in applying growth management strategies.

A Behavioral Assessment of Tourism Transportation Options for Reducing Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gases

This article outlines an approach for examining tourist-destination travel mode choices and forecasting the resulting environmental impact of those selections. Using the tourism destination of Whistler, British Columbia, as a case study, the article initially describes a discrete-choice experiment (DCE) used to estimate tourist mode-choice behavior under different transportation-planning scenarios. It then incorporates the DCE findings into a technical, bottom-up energy-use model to create behaviorally shaped estimates of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest that innovative transportation-management strategies can encourage tourists to use public-transit modes rather than private or rental vehicles to access tourism destinations. The modal shifts caused by these initiatives can significantly affect the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with land-based visitor travel. The findings contribute to the growing theoretical and applied strategies needed to inform the creation of more sustainable forms of tourism-destination development.

Developing and Supporting European Tour Operator Distribution Channels for Canadian Aboriginal Tourism Development

Because of the often remote and fledgling character of Canada’s aboriginal tourism attractions, developing alliances with knowledgeable and culturally sensitive distribution channel operators are especially important. The distribution channels developed can affect the patterns of destination use, target markets attracted, and economic impact created for aboriginal communities. This research describes the structure and perspectives of the European tour operator industry as it relates to the distribution of North American aboriginal tourism experiences to European travelers. The findings suggest strategies for working with tour operators in configuring, positioning, promoting, and delivering aboriginal tourism.

The Evolving Images of Wine Tourism Destinations

The projection of an appropriate image has been described as a vital element in marketing tourism destinations. While the dimensions of tourism destination image development have been examined in a wide range of tourism contexts, little research of this type has been conducted with respect to emerging agri-tourism regions in general, or wine tourism destinations in particular. This research examines the evolving character of wine tourism destination imagery as projected by wine producers and independent writers. The findings suggest that over the past decade, there has been a shift in wine country imagery from an emphasis on wine production processes and related facilities to more of an emphasis on aesthetic and experiential values associated with more leisurely recreational and tourist pursuits. In keeping with this shift from production orientation to more aesthetic elements, the wine tourism experience has become more positioned around a core attraction of quality wine, frequently accompanied by a set of culinary, educational, event hosting and cultural dimensions. The research also identifies several of the more critical resource management and marketing issues associated with this shift in imagery. The paper is written as a contribution to the growing field of wine tourism destination development.

Skiing Constraints for Women

Understanding tourism behavior patterns requires an appreciation of not only what enables involvement in specific activities, but also what constrains participation. This study identifies some of the reported constraints that are particularly associated with low levels of skiing participation among females. More importantly it offers insights into why these constraints have been reported. It suggests that there is a critical need to appreciate female interpretations of leisure when developing and marketing skiing experiences, as it is within this context that females decide whether or not to pursue the activity. While focused specifically on alpine skiing, this perspective concerning constraint applies equally to the manage ment of other tourism products and environments.