Culture as it Relates to Tourism Program

Program Description

The South Moresby Agreement of 1988 contains specific references to certain items and goals that were drawn up by the Federal and Provincial Governments. Culture as it Relates to Tourism was included as a mandated item. It was defined as follows:

The interplay between tourism and the deliberate or incidental experiences of culture.

•  the values of this interplay will be measured by the benefits to culture.

•  the benefits to tourism are assured by the continuing and expanding culture.

The Board of the Gwaii Trust Society notes that the above definition is broad, and while it interprets Haida culture as the primary culture of Haida Gwaii as it relates to tourism, it is not the only culture in Haida Gwaii. In this respect the Board interprets culture “as not one or the other,” but an evolutionary concept that evolves with life and time.

Guide to Applicants

The Board will allocate up to $270,000.00 in the initial 2008/2009 fiscal year to projects submitted by communities. In general, the Board will accept cultural project applications that develop the interplay between tourism and the experience of culture, and which are demonstrably beneficial to culture continuing and expanding. Tourism infrastructure and planning feasibility studies are of special interest.

Key tests for project support are merit and need, which must be demonstrated by project proponents to the Board.