A survey of small and medium-sized businesses in the Bow Corridor shows several are experiencing a drop in tourism revenue due to a variety of reasons, including last June’s G-8 Summit in Kananaskis.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says businesses are also reporting damages from growth restrictions in the mountain parks and the September 2001 terrorist attacks.
“While small business owners recognize the unique nature of operating a firm in these mountain communities, recent government decisions and a number of world events have collided to make this challenge more difficult,” says Dan Kelly, the CFIB’s prairie vice-president.
The federation, which represents 200 small and medium-sized firms in the prairie region, polled a number of its business members in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Kananaskis and Lake Louise last August and September.
Their findings included:
* 86 per cent of responding firms reported a reduction in tourism due to the terrorist attacks.
* 61 per cent said the G-8 Summit in Kananaskis decreased visitors to the area.
* 11 per cent of K-Country businesses reported benefiting from the Summit.
* 52 per cent believe park restrictions on growth have reduced the amount of tourism to the region.
* 69 per cent of firms said their businesses depend on tourism for at least half of their sales. (In Banff, the number was 84 per cent.)
“The severe restrictions on growth, the onerous approval process for any improvements or new projects, the lack of flexibility for ski hills to respond to customer needs, and the closure of many recreation areas and trails have all combined to harm the ability of small firms to operate in this high-cost region,” Kelly said.
Under new regulations introduced by federal Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, further commercial development within Banff will be capped in 2006 at 350,000 square feet to protect the environment. Ski hills within the parks are also limited in their development abilities.
