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Each of the tourism zones has its own features
and is best suited to a particular type of tourism. By using the zonation system it is
possible to reduce conflict between the needs of tourism and the conservation values of
BC's natural areas. The following descriptions of the four zones help show how
it is possible to both preserve wilderness and support environmentally appropriate tourism through effective
resource planning. Click here
to see a map of how the zonation system is applied to northwestern British Columbia.
The Backcountry/Wilderness Tourism Zone provides a high quality
(often world class) wilderness experience in a pristine environment
to a smaller, though generally affluent, clientele. Multiday river
rafting, canoe tripping, photo safaris and nature treks, multi-day
ski touring, guided mountaineering, sail charters, sea kayaking,
and wilderness horseback trips are all associated with this zone.
The absence of motorized access and lack of built structures and infrastructure characterize
the Backcountry zone. The tourism experience emphasizes
 personal
and small group interaction and physical activity within pristine
natural landscapes. It is a value-added tourism product with higher prices charged per visitor day. The emphasis on guides also increases the employment level per visitor day. Examples of high calibre Backcountry zones that
are found within the BC park system include Tatshenshini,
Tweedsmuir,
Spatsizi,
Purcell Wilderness,
and the Northern Rockies.
The Backcountry zone is a rapidly diminishing resource, and yet it
is an especially attractive and internationally appealing tourism image.
Few other areas of the planet still retain
high calibre large wilderness areas equivalent to those found in BC. Given
the shrinking availability of wilderness elsewhere in the world
and the growing demand for it by an affluent traveling public, wilderness
promises to play an increasingly important part in the future of
British Columbia's tourism industry. Managing use and preserving
the pristine wilderness, so that it retains its 'wildness', is the
key management challenge of this
zone. Hence backcountry/wilderness is a fundamental asset of BC's tourism offering.
The
Midcountry/Natural Tourism Zone is characterized by
recreation opportunities for 'intermediate' numbers of visitors in
a high quality natural but not wilderness environment. Therefore, unlike the backcountry, this zone is associated with
motorized access and accommodation, but on a smaller scale and to
a lesser intensity than in the Frontcountry. For example, Midcountry
accommodation might consist of small lodges with simpler facilities.
The rustic basics of comfort are provided but the emphasis of the
experience is still on the natural environment rather than on the facilities
themselves.
Access in the Midcountry may be provided by helicopter, float plane, boat,
or unpaved  resource
roads. Heli-skiing, multi-day heli-hiking, motor launch cruises, mountain
biking, and some guest ranches are examples of adventure activities
associated with this zone. The Midcountry zone and its experiences are found surrounding, and outside of, protected areas. As a result the Midcountry tourism zone serves to buffer (and link) areas in a fashion consistent with the principles of Conservation Biology. Examples of such Midcountry zones occur in lands surrounding parks such as the
Purcell Wilderness Conservancy,
Glacier National Park,
and Wells Gray Provincial Park.
As well Midcountry operations (such as heli-skiing) in parks could lead to key conflicts with conservation priorities. As a result, future expansion of Midcountry-style tourism is not recommended for lands protected in parks. Rather, these operations should be located on the perimeters of parks. Containing the level of access and infrastructure and keeping the zone from becoming too developed is a key issue in the management of the Midcountry/Natural Zone.
The Frontcountry/Intensive Tourism Zone services large volumes
of tourists in a naturally scenic though substantially human altered
environment. Often, the more natural Mid and Backcountry zones provide
the scenic backdrop for Frontcountry/Intensive zones (e.g. the Banff
National Park Frontcountry looks into extensive Backcountry vistas).
Tourism in the Frontcountry/Intensive Zone will often be closely linked
to motorized, high volume transportation on major highway or rail corridors,
or through nearby airports. Tourism in this zone often involves the
use and development of substantial infrastructure: destination resorts,
motels, restaurants, shopping areas, entertainment services, ski areas,
and so on. Adventure tourism activities  associated
with the Frontcountry/Intensive zone include daytrip rafting, daytrip
ski touring and nordic track skiing, daytrip heli-hiking, highway
based nature viewing tours and paved road bicycle tours.
Frontcountry tourism activities appeal to tourists seeking a short-duration, outdoor oriented activity. Tourists enjoying the Frontcountry
often do not have the time to explore further into the Midcountry,
or prefer to limit their natural experience in order to enjoy the
full comfort and convenience of hotels and restaurants.
Protection of viewscapes and scenic corridors is an
important element of Frontcountry tourism management.
Frontcountry zones have developed adjacent to some BC
parks. The best examples occurs at the world class Frontcountry resort of Whistler, which benefits from its viewscape of the adjacent Backcountry Garibaldi Provincial Park. Within parks,
the intensity of Frontcountry use and development leads to severe
conflicts with conservation priorities. The example of the
Banff townsite development, where an entire tourism supported town has sprung up at a
significant cost to wildlife and wilderness,
exemplifies this. Controversies of the type that have
long plagued Frontcountry tourism at locations like Cypress
Bowl Park, where a full scale ski hill operates, indicate that future
expansion of Frontcountry tourism within
parks should not be allowed. Rather, such intensive tourism
should be located outside of protected areas.
The
Urban Tourism Zone is an integral part of the Tourism Zonation
System, although as far as wilderness tourism and parks management
is concerned in BC, it is of minimal significance. This zone corresponds
with urban areas with populations over 20,000 people where a wide
variety of services are provided. Culturally-based tourism is the
strongest feature of this zone.
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