Tourism Research and

Innovation Partnership

Outputs:

•Rural perspectives

•Info to guide policy

and programs

•Collaborative

research

Inputs:

•Expertise

•Resources

•Guidance

Non-Academic

Partners

Academic

Partners

Rural Community

Leaders and

Entrepreneurs

Outputs:

•Research

•Resources

•Answers

•Support

Inputs:

•Insights

•Information

needs

•Questions

•Case Studies

Inputs:

•Research

•Coordination

•Students

•Resources

•Expertise

Knowledge on Tourism Development is Being Shared in the Following Ways:

Tourism Research Innovation Project Enhancing rural tourism development in British Columbia

PARTNERS

Vancouver Island University

Thompson Rivers University

College of the Rockies

University of Northern British Columbia

College of New Caledonia

Tourism BC

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts

Ministry of Economic Development

BC Parks

LinkBC

Canadian Rural Partnership

ANNUAL EXTENSION TOURThe annual extension tour brings project

partners out to rural communities to learn from

and experience the realities of tourism

development in these areas. Regions visited:2006 – Northern BC

2007 – Central BC

2008 – Southern & Coastal BC

REGIONAL LIAISONSFour interns work in different regions of the

province to mobilize knowledge in tourism.

They provide workshops, engage in one-on-

one assistance, develop case studies, and work

on regional development initiatives.

HOW TO MANUALSA series of user friendly ‘how to manuals’

are being developed to help communities,

regions, and tourism entrepreneurs. (i.e.

community signage manual and a

packaging manual)

RESEARCH FORUMLed by the University of Northern BC and

BC Parks, a Research Forum on Parks

and Protected Areas in B.C. is held in

2006-2008. The Research Forum brings

together academics and professionals.

INNOVATION SNAPSHOTS

AND CASE STUDIESInnovation Snapshots and

case studies showcase

examples of innovative

practices by entrepreneurs

and leaders in BC. The

examples showcased are

one of the best sources

of information available.

VIDEOSA DVD series is being developed to capture and

share perspectives on tourism development

throughout BC.

RESOURCES ON TOURISM

DEVELOPMENTTwo resource lists have been created on rural

tourism development:

1.A list of resources (mostly on-line) available to those working in rural tourism development.

2.A series of annotated bibliographies showcasing research on rural tourism.

WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGSCommunities that are wanting to engage in

dialogue about Tourism Development can have a

custom designed workshop or meeting in their

community. Previous meetings have involved

information regarding community signage, resident

attitude, and Aboriginal Tourism development.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Entrepreneurs

Browse the website for resources, become

a part of the extension tour, get your

innovative practices profiled, ask our staff to

locate information to help your business, or

field questions for the Q and A initiative.

Community Leaders and Government

Agencies

Browse the website for resources, become

a host on the extension tour, have your

tourism development strategies profiled in a

case study, ask for information to support

tourism planning, conduct a workshop or

show videos, and use the how to manuals

to improve your community.

Researchers and Students

Use the cases and innovation snapshots in

classes, have your students do a project

that provides resources for communities,

engage your classes in field based

activities, document footage for the video

series and profile your projects and events.

This project receives funding support from the

Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Council of Canada.

Much of British Columbia’s most valuable

tourism assets are in rural areas of the

province. According to Statistics Canada over

one half of Canadian tourists, 39 percent of

USA tourists and 33 percent of overseas

tourists visited rural areas of the country in

2005. While this trend is positive, many rural

communities often struggle to incorporate

tourism into economic development goals.

A host of partners will be working together to

enhance rural tourism development in B.C.

through the Tourism Research and Innovation

Project (TRIP).

TRIP Objectives:

1. Mobilize information and resources in

tourism development within rural communities

by engaging in innovative, field-based

activities.

2. Develop an understanding of the realities

of rural tourism development by engaging in

dialogue with community leaders and tourism

entrepreneurs.

3. Enhance community based tourism

development by documenting case studies,

innovative practices and sharing them

throughout the province.

4. Develop a cluster of expertise in rural

tourism development in British Columbia by

linking academic and non-academic partners.

5. Reshape policy and planning decisions

and education programming in tourism

development in BC to reflect the needs of

tourism development in rural areas.

.

WHAT IS TRIP?

For more information on TRIP

Project Coordinator

Nicole L. Vaugeois

BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism

and Sustainable Rural Development

Department of Recreation and

Tourism Management

Vancouver Island University900 Fifth Street

Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5

Phone (250) 753-3245 Local 1-2772

Email: nicole.vaugeois@viu.ca

Website: www.trip-project.ca Examples of How To Manuals

Outputs:

•Rural perspectives

•Info to guide

education

•Student learning

•Collaborative research

Intended outcomes and impacts of TRIP are shown in this figure.

The project forms a triad of academic, non-academic and rural

audiences. Each partner will provide inputs and receive outputs or

outcomes from their engagement. All partners will receive a more

coordinated network of those engaged in rural tourism development.