New places, cultures appeal to active participants rather than passive spectators

Lorie and Paul Bennett, Special to the Sun
Published: Saturday, August 04, 2007

Ecotourism, adventure and cultural tourism are today's hottest markets, according to the World Tourism Organization. B.C.'s aboriginal tourism fits on all fronts and attracts travellers who want to be active participants rather than passive spectators when they visit unfamiliar places and cultures.

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C., established in 1996 by a core group of aboriginal volunteers and industry partners including Tourism B.C., has grown to represent approximately 200 aboriginal tourism businesses operating throughout the province. First Nations are proposing at least 65 new tourism products and many businesses are planning to add more cultural experiences.

Audry Lochrie of Talking Totem Tours in Vancouver, a company that promotes B.C. aboriginal experiences around the world, says, "In just one year of business, the number of suppliers and events I am promoting has increased from 12 to 166."And the market is responding positively. Eager visitors include school children, families and eco- or edu-adventurers from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Germans have a special affinity for First Nations people, having grown up reading Karl May (1842-1912), a kind of poor man's Louis L'Amour. Although May never visited the Wild West, he wrote about a place where Indians are a noble race, whites mostly villains. Translated into 30 languages, his 60 novels have sold more than 100 million copies.We're curious about the growth of aboriginal tourism so we decide to visit several projects off Highway 3, the Crowsnest Pass Highway, between Hope and Cranbrook.We complete the trip with a deeper understanding of B. C.'s history and aboriginal culture.