Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
available on sea kayaking. Data that exists provides estimates of numbers, but
there is only anecdotal evidence on how kayakers access regions for tours, and
it is assumed transport modes will reflect general trends of car travel and air
travel over longer distances. That said, as for any tourism product, there is
much potential for those engaging in kayaking tours to access the region by
other forms of slow travel.
British Columbia provides opportunities for sea kayaking around its
extensive coastline and islands. This is frequently integrated with opportuni-
ties for wildlife watching, and tours are sold as Orca trips (sea kayaking with
killer whales) and whale-watching tours more generally.
Although recent data are not available, a survey of activity during the
1990s suggested sea kayaking was a growth activity. Between 1991 and 1995
the proportion of British Columbia residents participating grew from 3 per
cent to 7 per cent, and since 1995 estimated participation has grown at a rate
of 20 per cent per year (Gill et al, 2003). Some 30,000 kayakers stayed at least
one night on the coast, for a total of 140,000 user days in 1996. The most
popular area is the Gulf Islands, with 7340 kayakers recorded in 1996. Other
popular locations include Johnstone Strait, Broken Islands, Clayoquot Sound,
Nootka Sound and the Broughton Archipelago, which each attracted between
1000 and 3500 kayakers in 1996 (Gill et al, 2003).
In 2000 there were approximately 250 kayak service-providers, mostly
small operators, although there were 30 to 40 large operations, offering a wide
range of services including rental, instruction, touring and sales of associated
equipment (Gill et al, 2003). Some 10-12 per cent of overnight trips are guided
(Coastal Community Network, 2005), the remainder being conducted inde-
pendently or by club groups. Gill et al (2003), while acknowledging
that kayakers generally have minimal environmental impact, comment on the
potential for increasing numbers to cause localized damage to the natural envi-
ronment through human waste, litter and vegetation damage. However, no
attention has been paid to the wider global impacts that might result from travel
to access kayak tours. About 50 per cent of kayakers rent their equipment (Gill
et al, 2003), which minimizes the need for car-based travel to the area in order
to transport kayaks. In their travel information, tour operators do mention
Greyhound bus access as well as travel by air and car. From a wider sustainable
tourism perspective, sea kayaking has provided opportunities for cultural her-
itage development; the Heiltsuk, a First Nation community, are developing a
kayaking business (Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture, 2001).
Sea kayaking tours in British Columbia provide extensive opportunities
for travel and destination experiences. Travel is at a slow pace, taking in mul-
tiple destinations. As an active traveller, kayakers co-create the experience
through their intense physical involvement in both movement and the envi-
ronment. There is much engagement with other people on the tour with whom
an adventure is shared and friendships forged. Kayaking in such a wilderness
setting is an extreme activity for most participants, which creates memorable
stories. Given the connection to the environment visited and wildlife observed,
participants are likely to share environmental concerns, something industry
might encourage through promotion of slow travel to the kayaking base. Sea
