| The increase in tourism has been rapidly increasing in | | | | put people off going there. Another potential problem |
| Whistler for many years. Noted for being one of the | | | | is that most resort development is predicated on the |
| best skiing and snowboarding areas in the world, | | | | sale of recreational real estate, whether its condo |
| having the largest skiing area in North America as well | | | | units, time share units, cabins or real estate lots. For |
| has having summer activities to match the winter, | | | | a lot of people their considerable investment in |
| including world class golfing, mountain biking and hiking, | | | | recreational real estate means they are going to |
| thanks to the abundance of mountains warmed by | | | | spend their vacation time using the property. They |
| the sea air in the summer making it an outdoor | | | | are less likely to be traveling around the province and |
| enthusiasts dream. | | | | sampling the various resorts being developed. |
| Up until a couple of years ago, the increase in tourism | | | | With increasing costs in Whistler and BC, Canadians |
| had been fast but steady and controlled. Since the | | | | may be put off the idea of visiting Whistler, instead |
| decision for Whistler to host the winter Olympics in | | | | choosing holidays abroad or to other destinations |
| 2010 things have changed. | | | | away from the spotlight that Whistler has fallen |
| The recent unprecedented level of resort | | | | under. |
| development comes with some urgency, as most | | | | These are not potentially catastrophic problems for |
| developers want to take advantage of the attention | | | | the area but illustrate a need for long term planning |
| the 2010 Winter Olympics will bring to the area. | | | | and thought into the development of Whistler, and |
| Despite skyrocketing construction costs, developers | | | | how to maintain momentum once the Olympics is |
| are feeling confident. The Government of Whistler | | | | over. |
| has challenged the tourism industry to double in size | | | | Poor planning has often led to post-Olympic areas |
| by 2015 and interest in recreational real estate is so | | | | being turned into ghost towns, with unused facilities, |
| high that many projects are sold out before | | | | empty housing etc. however, with limited space in |
| construction even begins. | | | | Whistler, careful thought has led to large areas of the |
| With a strong economy and the boost in global | | | | Olympic village being turned into housing after the |
| awareness that the Olympics will bring, the future of | | | | event, the majority of which for employees of the |
| tourism in B.C over the next few years looks healthy. | | | | event. This will limit the possibility of unscrupulous |
| The questions arise when long term growth comes | | | | developers ruining the area trying to cash in and |
| into question. Firstly the capacity - will enough people | | | | potentially destroying the beauty of Whistler. |
| come to Whistler to fill the beds? | | | | Despite the doubts and the potential for problems |
| Much of North America considers Whistler a difficult | | | | beyond the Olympics, the area looks set to continue |
| place to get too, and with impending tourism increase | | | | with impressive growth in tourism, with 88 major |
| means possible problems with traffic, demand in air | | | | tourism related development projects already |
| travel and traffic problems around B.C., which may | | | | underway, worth a combined 17 billion CAD. |