Sustainable Tourism and Sustainable Tourism and Island Self Government: The Island Self Government: The

Saltspring Island CaseSaltspring Island CaseDr. Brian P. White Dr. Brian P. White

DirectorDirectorSchool of Tourism and Hotel ManagementSchool of Tourism and Hotel Management

Royal Roads UniversityRoyal Roads UniversityVictoria, BC.Victoria, BC.

Setting the stageSetting the stage------The study of islands from an integrated The study of islands from an integrated

nd holistic perspective is a relatively recent developmend holistic perspective is a relatively recent developme(see Baldacchino, 2007)(see Baldacchino, 2007)

Some Some ““ColdCold--waterwater”” island issues include:island issues include:--sustainability of island ecosystems , economies,sustainability of island ecosystems , economies,

and societies, and societies, --population displacement, population displacement,

--tourism impacts,tourism impacts,--gentrificationgentrification--governancegovernance

(Warrington & Mill 2007, Gossling & Wall 2007, Connell 2007, Cla(Warrington & Mill 2007, Gossling & Wall 2007, Connell 2007, Clark et al 2007) rk et al 2007)

Island Tourism and Environmental Change: Key Issues

•Competition for scarce water and other natural resources•Land conversion for residential and commercial development•Locals forced to emigrate by rising land costs and gentrificatio•Unoccupied investment properties and second homesimpact community vitality. ( Gossling & Wall 2007)

The Situation:The Situation:Saltspring Island is the largest of the southern Gulf Saltspring Island is the largest of the southern Gulf Islands in Georgia Strait,Islands in Georgia Strait,--first pioneer farmsteads in the first pioneer farmsteads in the 1860s1860s

There are powerful residential development pressures There are powerful residential development pressures due to close proximity to Vancouver and Victoria,due to close proximity to Vancouver and Victoria,

Population on Saltspring Island has increased Population on Saltspring Island has increased substantially in the past two decades due to amenity substantially in the past two decades due to amenity migration of retirees, who now comprise 52% of the migration of retirees, who now comprise 52% of the population,population,

The islandThe island’’s economy is small business based, s economy is small business based, particularly focussed on agritourism and arts and crafts,particularly focussed on agritourism and arts and crafts,

The economic downturn impacts retirees, small The economic downturn impacts retirees, small businesses, and developers focussed on retirement businesses, and developers focussed on retirement properties.properties.

erry Schedules and pricing critically impact Saltspring Island lifand the sustainability of the local economy

Home Space

Days

Hours

Weekends

Weeks

Months

Years

TimeNumber of Trips(interactions)

Long distance commuting

Day tripping

Visits

Shopping

Commuting

Extended working holidays

Migration

Vacation

Educational travel

Sojourning

Adapted from Hall in Theobald, pp. 466

Saltspring Island and The Travel, Time and Space Continuum

•• The resource economy is struggling, with the last pulp The resource economy is struggling, with the last pulp mill still operating on Vancouver Island a short ferry ride mill still operating on Vancouver Island a short ferry ride away for north Saltspring Island workersaway for north Saltspring Island workers

•• Fishing and logging have been in decline for decades Fishing and logging have been in decline for decades and are no longer major employers.and are no longer major employers.

•• The service economy is a major employer, with most jobs The service economy is a major employer, with most jobs front line. Many are low paid.front line. Many are low paid.

•• Many professionals telecommute, many second homes.Many professionals telecommute, many second homes.

Arts and crafts based tourism has become a mainstay of the island’s economy, but many islanders work off island and on line

Saltspring Island has no local (municipal) governmeSaltspring Island has no local (municipal) governmeGovernance is under and the Capital Regional distrGovernance is under and the Capital Regional distrand the Islands Trust Act. and the Islands Trust Act.

The Islands Trust is a land use planning agency The Islands Trust is a land use planning agency responsible for the land use planning responsible for the land use planning of the Gulf Islands, but is not mandated as a localof the Gulf Islands, but is not mandated as a localgovernance agency.governance agency.

With a population approaching 10,000, With a population approaching 10,000, pressure has been mounting for pressure has been mounting for Island Municipal Status for Saltspring IslandIsland Municipal Status for Saltspring Island

However, the measure was rejected by 73%However, the measure was rejected by 73%in a referendum five years ago.in a referendum five years ago.

Agritourism, wine tourism and community basedAgritourism, wine tourism and community basedarts and crafts are the primary supporters arts and crafts are the primary supporters of the island economy, along with bed and breakof the island economy, along with bed and breakand small resorts. Agriculture is a major economand small resorts. Agriculture is a major economactivity, particularly small scale sheep farming.activity, particularly small scale sheep farming.

There is however strong resistance to tourism There is however strong resistance to tourism among the retirement community among the retirement community

and also among some long term residentsand also among some long term residents

Vineyards and Wineries have become tourist attractions and a mainstay of the island economy,

Specialty cheese makers attract culinary tourists,

And alternative lifestyles-and crafts- are alive and well.,

--A major housing development on the north end of the island that was approved without local public inputChannel Ridge was designed for wealthy retirees.Public protests have slowed down development. Now with the economic downturn, financing and buyers are becoming scarce.

Channel Ridge

Chamber of Commerce is supporting Island Municipal status, Chamber of Commerce is supporting Island Municipal status, s developing a Sustainable Tourism plan with s developing a Sustainable Tourism plan with ism British Columbia.ism British Columbia.

y have support from small businesses across the Island. have support from small businesses across the Island. slands Trust is nonslands Trust is non--supportive of Island Municipal Statussupportive of Island Municipal Status. .

nges: A gentrified downtown

Four preliminary research questions:Four preliminary research questions:

Would island municipal status have an Would island municipal status have an effect on island tourism?effect on island tourism?What key changes are likely to occur?What key changes are likely to occur?What would be the effect on the What would be the effect on the environmental sustainability of Saltspring Island?environmental sustainability of Saltspring Island?

Preliminary interview results (N=10) with small tourism-related business owners indicated:

•Overall strong support for Island Municipal status•Desire for accountability among elected officials•Desire to elect own local government

•Better planning of services on Saltspring•Locally rather than regionally mandated governance

•Would provide direct negotiation with development proposalsC t li d t i l i th h th

Emerging Issues

• Land development • equated with tourism

by some

• Islands Trust seen as a brake on development

• Emergent sustainable tourism economy not

supported as a fundamental economic reality by many residents.

• No municipal funding and grants available to support environmental efforts

Preliminary Observations:

•The population is seriously divided as to island governance

•Local control and accountability seen as very important to effective ecosystem, sustainable tourism planning, and development approvals

•Island economy and landscape appears to be very vulnerable due to off island land use policy control

Thank You!Thank You!

References: Baldecchino, Godfrey, (ed.)A world of Islands (2007) Media Centre Publications, MaltaClark, Eric, K. Johnson, E. Lundholm, & G. Malmberg (2007) Island Gentrification and Space Wars (in) Baldecchino, (2007)Gossling, Steven, & G. Wall (2007) Island Tourism (in) Baldecchino, (2007)

Thanks to:Islanders for Self Government Saltspring Island Chamber of Commerce