LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
After six years of lobbying WTAY finally had success in convincing Transport Canada to amend the Marine Liability Act (MLA) and the Draft Raft Regulations so that they don’t impede or threaten wilderness tourism businesses in the Yukon. Under the M.L.A. definitions were revised to recognize waivers used by tourism businesses for water-based activities. Transport Canada recently confirmed that it will revise the wording of the rafting regulations in response to WTAY’s concerns about requiring trip guide familiarization trips on Class III and above waters.
WTAY consulted with members and is providing recommendations to the Department of Environment on enhanced safety requirements under the Wilderness Tourism Licensing Act, specifically with regard to first aid, emergency communication devices, accident reporting.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
WTAY presented the Yukon Oil & Gas Best Management Practices for Wilderness Tourism to almost 200 delegates at the Oil and Gas Symposium in Inuvik. WTAY worked closely with the Oil and Gas Branch of the Department of Energy, Mines & Resources to have wilderness tourism values recognized and respected during any exploration or development. These guidelines are detailed in a brochure which you can see at: www.emr.gov.yk.ca/oilandgas/1603.html
WTAY continues to educate government and other land users about wilderness tourism values throughout the Yukon. This work requires active participation in many sectors and vigilant monitoring of projects. WTAY advocated and commented on:
- Projects going through the Yukon Environmental & Socioeconomic Assessment process
- Initiatives of the Fish & Wildlife Management Board
- Outfitters cabin on Bonnet Plume River
- Peel Watershed Land Use Planning
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
WTAY launched the first phase of our Best Environmental Practices on Yukon Rivers campaign. In an effort to reduce environmental impacts caused by poor camping practices along popular Yukon rivers, the WTAY developed an educational campaign which includes new signs at river put-ins, a brochure and webpage. The campaign received media attention and positive feedback by the public. WTAY plans to expand the campaign and have the signs translated into German.
WTAY is represented on the Board of Leave No Trace Canada and encourages LNT training. We notify members of relevant training like Wilderness First Aid. We continue to participate on an Advisory Committee for Yukon College. Where other organizations or governments are offering training, WTAY avoids duplication.
In conjunction with our 2007 AGM, WTAY hired ecotourism expert Carol Patterson of Kalahari Management Inc. for two educational seminars: Dollars & Sense: Ecotourism Financial Sustainability; and Balancing Profitability and Conservation.LANDS COMMITTEE
Wilderness tourism is the only industry in the Yukon not able to apply for access to land tenure in the backcountry. WTAY continues to push for the development of a commercial wilderness lands policy in the Yukon. Due to other priorities, the Yukon Government Department of Energy, Mines & Resources (Lands Branch) has delayed the extensive inter-governmental and public consultations promised to move forward on the development of a policy for the wilderness tourism sector.
MARKETING COMMITTEEMarketing Yukon Wild is such a major part of what we do every year that these activities are detailed in a separate report prepared by WTAY’s Marketing Manager, available on request.
REPRESENTATION ON NON-WTAY COMMITTEES- Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon Board of Directors
- Animal Care Standards
- Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund evaluation committee
- Leave No Trace Canada
- Workers Compensation Prevention & Safety Advisory Group
INPUT / CONSULTATION
Outside of committee activities, WTAY is frequently consulted on a wide range of projects and issues. Staff or directors may review projects, make submissions or be actively involved with project development. After considerable WTAY input, we look forward to the Department of Tourism’s completion of both the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Industry Status Report and the Wilderness Tourism Supplement to the 2004 Visitor Exit Survey.
PARTNERS
Since the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon members voted to create a new, incorporated umbrella organization, WTAY members have an opportunity to run for an adventure/recreation sector seat on the Board – this position is filled by Rod Taylor of Uncommon Journeys who was also elected President of TIAY. WTAY has a designated seat and vote on the TIAY Board - Maxine Mattinson, WTAY’s manager was appointed by the WTAY Board. Along with assisting in the development of the policies and strategic priorities for the new TIAY, WTAY has participated extensively in the Tourism Development Business Planning process.
Because of our partnership with TIAY, WTAY Members are now entitled to free membership in TIAY.
WTAY continues to work with all levels of government to ensure wilderness tourism interests are understood, protected and enhanced. WTAY acknowledges the ongoing support of the Yukon Government, in particular the Department of Tourism & Culture and Minister Elaine Taylor. The Department of Environment continues to generate valuable data on wilderness tourism activities. Wilderness Tourism Licensee trip reports help us to monitor and ensure the protection our most valuable resources. Federally, Parks Canada provides valuable opportunities and services to the wilderness tourism sector.
Other organizations that WTAY has actively partnered with in the past year whose work is valuable and complimentary to ours include:
- Yukon Conservation Society
- Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society
- Yukon Convention Bureau
INFORMATION
WTAY’s main communication tool is e-mail, particularly the E-News which provides short bulletins with links to where you can get more information. Members can send items of specific interest to wilderness tourism operators. Since it provides an affordable, direct, fast means of distributing information to operators, we receive items from government and other organizations to distribute to our members. The WTAY Manager is selective and edits ruthlessly, so you don’t have to waste valuable time slogging through irrelevant or unintelligible information! WTAY staff now have the technology to upload content on our members’ website http://www.wtay.com/ WTAY has bought monthly newspaper ads to raise awareness of the wilderness tourism industry.
ADMINISTRATION
WTAY does not have a core operating grant so the viability of the organization depends on a Contribution Agreement with the Yukon Government to manage and deliver the wilderness tourism marketing program (Yukon Wild). Financial accountability for Contribution Agreements with YTG now requires an annual review of financial statements, further increasing work and costs. WTAY worked with Ordish & Ordish Chartered Accountants to complete reviews of all financial statements from 2004 to 2007.
Although governments rely on WTAY for increasingly more input, consultation and projects (eg. Status Report, YESAA, land use planning, legislative review or amendments, etc.) we receive no compensation for the time and costs incurred by WTAY’s staff and volunteers. We participate to protect the interests of our industry and the wilderness environment.
WTAY employs a .75 time office manager who supports the work of the nine-member Board of Directors. The Marketing Committee oversees the YukonWild marketing program which is managed by Pawlovich & Associates Inc. Both the office and marketing managers are available by appointment. We have a small office in the Horwood’s Mall upstairs at First Avenue and Main Street in Whitehorse.MEMBERSHIP
WTAY continues to represent the majority of wilderness tourism operators. Membership dropped to 75 from 85, mainly due to reduction in business operations or closures.
To view WTAY’s current membership directory, go to our searchable database at: http://www.wtay.com/memberSearch.aspx
Your comments and questions are always welcome.Contact us at:
#4 – 1114 First Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1A3
Tel: (867) 668-3369 Fax: (867) 668-3370 Email: wtay@klondiker.com
Document prepared by Maxine Mattinson, WTAY Manager
Review our past achievements:
