Community Futures Cowichan
2019
The Cowichan Lake Region Tourism Action Plan (CLRTAP) was a regional collaboration of the western Cowichan communities to seize the growing opportunities in tourism. Since 2001 the Region has experienced a decline in its major industry of logging and forestry products sector.
When the Youbou Sawmill closed 700+ high-paying jobs were lost, which left the Cowichan Lake Region without a main economic driver to provide sustainable high-paying jobs. Many local workers must now commute to Duncan and as far as Victoria for jobs.
This Action Plan focused on the foundation steps needed to develop tourism into a sustainable economic driver, specifically focusing on Tourism Product and Infrastructure development for Cycling & Hiking trail experiences. These steps are the basis for any destination’s tourism sector; unless the tourism product meets the needs and expectations of tourists, the destination cannot realize its full potential.
