Joffre lakes

docx

School

Thompson Rivers University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

3020

Subject

Geography

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by CoachRook3319

Assignment 2: Joffre Lake Case Study Thompson Rivers University TMGT 3020_01 - Tourism Policy and Planning - Winter 2023 Jason W. Johnston February 20 th , 2023 1. What is the draw of Joffre Lakes and why is this place so popular?

Joffre Lakes is a popular hiking location in British Columbia, Canada's Coast Mountains. The draw of Joffre Lake stems mostly from its magnificent natural beauty and distinctive features, which include: Crystal-clear turquoise lakes : Joffre Lakes is home to three stunning glacier-fed lakes known for their vibrant blue-green colour. The lakes are positioned at various elevations and provide unique views of the surrounding mountain environment. Waterfalls and glaciers : Many waterfalls, including the magnificent Joffre Falls, may be seen in the Joffre Lakes area. Hikers can also see the Matier Glacier, which feeds the lakes. Accessibility : Joffre Lakes is a popular day-trip destination for hikers and outdoor lovers because it is easily accessible from Vancouver and other neighbouring cities. Hiking trails : The Joffre Lakes area has a variety of hiking trails for people of all skill levels. The most popular trek is a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) round-trip hike that brings visitors to all three lakes and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery. 2. What are the overtourism issues at Joffre Lake? Due to its popularity as a hiking and camping site, overtourism is a big issue at Joffre Lakes. Joffre Lakes is dealing with the following overtourism issues: Crowding : Joffre Lakes has grown increasingly popular, particularly during peak season, causing trail erosion, environmental damage, and trash. Parking : Due to Joffre Lakes' inadequate parking facilities, cars have been parked beside the highway, causing traffic congestion and safety problems. Infrastructure : Joffre Lakes' current infrastructure is insufficient to handle the huge volume of visitors. The scarcity of bathrooms and garbage cans has resulted in unhygienic conditions and environmental damage.

Safety : The increased number of visitors has raised safety issues on the routes, with many inexperienced hikers getting injured. Impact on local community : The inflow of tourists has put a strain on local resources and infrastructure, resulting in increased traffic, noise, and pollution. 3. Who is involved or should be involved in Joffre Lakes’ planning? What management strategies are/should be used? The development and administration of Joffre Lakes should involve a wide range of stakeholders. Among these stakeholders are: Park authorities : Park authorities are in charge of managing Joffre Lakes and ensuring the park's long-term growth. They should be involved in the formulation and implementation of plans to solve environmental and social challenges in the park. Local communities : Local communities, including surrounding Indigenous communities, should be consulted and included in park planning and management. Their traditional knowledge and expertise can help to protect the park's ecological and cultural legacy. Tourism industry : The tourist sector, which includes tour operators, lodging providers, and outdoor recreation organisations, should be included in Joffre Lakes planning and management. They can help encourage responsible tourism practises by providing insights into visitor behaviour. Joffre Lakes should employ the following management strategies: Visitor management : This entails limiting the number of visitors, instituting a reservation system, and controlling camping activities to ensure that visitor numbers are sustainable and do not have a harmful influence on the park's ecosystem.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Infrastructure Improvement : Park authorities should invest in enhancing the park's infrastructure, such as parking facilities, path upkeep, and trash management systems. This can aid in reducing the environmental effect of tourists. Collaboration : Collaboration among stakeholders can lead to better decision-making and more successful management techniques. This can include sharing resources, experience, and knowledge in order to meet the park's long-term development goals (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, 2020). 4. What policy instruments are being used or have been used? To address the difficulties in Joffre Lakes, several policy instruments have been or are being deployed. These are some examples: Permit systems : To limit the number of visitors to Joffre Lakes, park authorities have created a permission system. This system aids in visitor management and ensures that the park's resources are not overutilized. Regulations : Rules have been put in place to manage camping activities and to ensure responsible tourism practises. This includes limiting campfires, restricting camping to specific locations, and requiring visitors to pack away all waste. Educational Initiatives : Educational activities have been implemented to improve knowledge of responsible tourism practises and to promote sustainable behaviour. This incorporates Leave No Trace (Leave No Trace, 2021) principles, which promote environmental responsibility, as well as responsible hiking and camping habits. 5. What changes would you recommend? How can things be modified to have more success? Based on the difficulties confronting Joffre Lakes and the current policy instruments in place, the following modifications are suggested to address overtourism and encourage sustainable tourism practises (British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, 2018; Scherrer & Hvenegaard, 2017):

Better visitor management : While the existing permit system has assisted in managing the number of visitors, it might be enhanced further by creating a tiered system that limits the number of people on a daily basis and establishes various quotas for different regions of the park. This would help to reduce crowding and provide a more enjoyable experience for guests. Infrastructure enhancements should continue to be a priority, but they should be focused on constructing sustainable infrastructure that reduces the park's environmental effect. This could involve installing composting toilets, solar panels to power buildings, and using ecologically friendly building materials. Alternative destination promotion : Other locations could be promoted to help distribute visitors more fairly across the region and relieve strain on Joffre Lakes (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, 2020). Other parks and recreational sites that provide similar outdoor activities and experiences could be included. Leave No Trace Canada. (2021). Leave No Trace Canada. https://www.leavenotrace.ca/ Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. (2020). Joffre Lakes Provincial Park: Protecting Paradise. https://cpawsbc.org/campaigns/joffre-lakes-provincial-park Scherrer, P., & Hvenegaard, G. T. (2017). Sustainable tourism and over-tourism: A paradox? Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(4), 439-457. British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. (2018). Planning for sustainable tourism at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park.