Hundreds of photos were taken minutes after a Chinese delegation arrived in 100 Mile House on June 15.
This was the second stop of the delegation’s tour along the Gold Rush Trail (GRT) observing and investigating potential business and housing ventures in the Cariboo.
The tour was put on by the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and MCC Elite Club.
CRD chair Al Richmond says he was pleased to see a plan long in the making come to fruition.
“We want to introduce them to the Cariboo and to look at investing in the area … we want to bring tourists over from China and get them interested in the area.
“We’ve been working on this for four years now. We’ve worked with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China representatives to get this to happen.”
The tour was an extensive seven-day trip along the GRT with stops in Clinton, 100 Mile House, Quesnel and Barkerville.
Trip organizer James Wu says he was excited about this adventure on the GRT.
“This is my first trip up this way. We have already had such a good experience and we hope to look into any business and tourism opportunities that we find intriguing.”
As the Chinese delegates exited the bus at the South Cariboo Visitor Centre in 100 Mile House, the cameras and phones were out within seconds, and the tour members took photos of everything they could.
Richmond led them around the 100 Mile Marsh and provided interesting bits of information about 100 Mile House.
Canada Chinese Investors & Entrepreneurs Association vice-president Bing Zheng Li says he has a specific reason for being on the tour.
“I’ve come to Canada to explore the business opportunities, but I’m also interested in the nature of this area.”
Li stopped at one point to look at several fallen geese feathers. He and other delegates proceeded to grab as many feathers as they could find. This was the first time Li had ever held geese feathers.
“The nature here is all so well protected. I believe there is a good opportunity to bring more Chinese tourists to this area.”
Li and Wu both had keen interest in the real estate and living costs of the South Cariboo.
“We want to see how people live in the area. Vancouver is so expensive now. We are interested in seeing what opportunities there are in the north,” says Wu.
After staying the night at the 108 Mile Golf Resort, Richmond and other CRD members drove the delegates to several tourist attractions including big game country in Eureka Peaks and the building procedures at Sitka Log Homes on June 16.
“They loved Eureka Peaks and how vast the area was,” says Richmond.
“They were also very interested in the process of building log homes. Chris Drouillard in the Mile 108 Ranch let them tour his house.”
Barkerville Heritage Trust director Eileen Lao says the group was amazed with all of the animals they saw on the trip.
“A lot of them are seeing these animals for the first time. They have been posting hundreds on Chinese social media sites.”
The day ended with a dinner celebration at the Valley Room in 100 Mile House. After a performance from the Canim Lake Dancers, the Chinese thanked the dancers and the CDR members for the tour and their hospitality.
Canadian Community Service Association president Hua Niu expressed his thanks and his desire for further opportunities in the Cariboo.
“We wish to build a good relationship with the local government and businesses here. In two days, we have been stunned with how people live in this area and the incredible friendliness of the culture.”
Gifts were presented to several local government officials, including Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett who received a silk embroidery of a panda.
On June 17, the delegation headed out for the weekend to check out tourism locations in Quesnel and Barkerville.
100 Mile Mayor Mitch Campsall says the event was a resounding success with a definite possibility for future meetings.
“The town was very well received by the delegation. Members said they are interested in future investments with the community. Overall, the whole event was very well received.”
Campsall adds the District council already has a future event on its calendar.
“[The council] has been invited to go to some of the Chinese delegation festivities in Burnaby later this summer and we are looking forward to that.”
