Grey County is exploring a Beaver Valley sustainable tourism five-year strategy and action plan.
Last week, council heard a presentation from staff and consultants Bannikin about balancing potential tourism growth with protecting the natural area.
Beaver Valley is home to outdoor and natural attractions like the Bruce Trail, Hogg’s Falls, Eugenia Falls, and Old Baldy and it’s also home to restaurants, accommodation businesses, (including the old Talisman resort), as well as shops and galleries.
Beaver Valley destinations and communities include Blue Mountain Resort, Thornbury, Clarksburg, Flesherton, and Kimberley among others.
As part of the tourism strategy building process, Grey County’s economic development department and consultants met with stakeholders to get feedback about what they would like to see in a strategy. They highlighted quality of life for residents, conservation and climate action, infrastructure for recreation, support for local business, attracting more business and also visitor satisfaction.
They also expressed a desire for better parking, signage and wayfinding, bike racks and water stations at trail heads.
The need for more transportation options and accommodation for tourists and those working in the tourism industry was also highlighted.
County Director of Economic Development, Tourism and Culture Savanna Myers told council, “We have a lot of room to improve on the accommodation side. Everything from Airbnbs, to motels to resort style potential to be able to keep people here longer, so they don’t just drive through. We want them to leave their dollars here.”
There was discussion about branding Beaver Valley itself as a destination and updating websites to ensure links to attractions in the area are working, as well as being mindful of the potential for agri-tourism opportunities.
The strategy highlights some opportunities for improvement including connecting Beaver Valley to nearby attractions, updating websites and information, developing the infrastructure to support tourism, further integrating retail, food and accommodation businesses and promoting a local understanding of the benefits of tourism.
Consultants say challenges include a labour shortage, limited funding from larger environmental conservation stakeholders, limited sustainability efforts, and a lack of branding.
Grey Highlands Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen said during discussion, “The goal isn’t to change and disrupt and destroy. The goal is to identify opportunities, utilize those opportunities while being respectful to the area we’re talking about.”
The strategy is a partnership between Grey County, Grey Highlands, the Town of the Blue Mountains and Regional Tourism Organization 7.
County Council voted Thursday to ask staff for a more detailed report as well as a draft memorandum of understanding that might formalize an agreement between those potential partners to work together.
The sustainable tourism strategy is also set to the presented to Grey Highlands and The Town of the Blue Mountains councils.