The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association (CCCTA) is going green, and a couple of South Cariboo businesses are leading the way.
Siwash Lake Ranch near 70 Mile House earned a gold award and The Hills Health Ranch & Spa at 108 Mile Ranch a silver award in the Green Tourism Canada (GTC) program.
The GTC program was implemented by the local tourism association to help tourism operators in the region reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable.
CCCTA chief executive officer Amy Thacker says these local businesses are among the first three tourism operators in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region to be certified by GTC.
“This is an exciting milestone as we continue to develop this program and help make British Columbia a leader in sustainable tourism.”
The GTC program provides education and training to all types of tourism operators seeking acknowledgement for their efforts, as well as better access to the growing market of green-conscious travellers, Thacker explains.
Siwash Lake Ranch owner Allyson Rogers says she is honoured to have been awarded a gold certification by GTC and is proud to set an example for other tourism operators who are interested in growing their businesses through pursuing a low environmental footprint.
“Our clients are excited about the work we do, and [they] want to support other businesses that show innovation and leadership in supporting the needs of our planet.”
The Hills Health Ranch & Spa owner and CCCTA president Pat Corbett says it was a pleasure to work with the GTC on the common goal of green tourism, and he hopes to see others from the region get involved.
“Sustainability of health and nature are primary focuses at The Hills Health Ranch & Spa.”
Through an initial environmental audit, the GTC makes suggestions and then follows up to determine the level of criteria met by each tourism business involved in the program, he explains.
Even gold winners get advice on making more improvements, Corbett says, adding balancing the all-important comfort of customers with green and sustainable practices is always a concern.
Corbett notes one of the many aspects that helped his tourism business earn the award was its use of pine-beetle killed trees for fuel to heat its swimming pools.
A bronze award was earned by Cariboo Chilcotin Jetboat Adventures out of Williams Lake.
