First nations plan luxury lodge – doc.


Monday, June 27th, 2005

They would be patterned after the successful King Pacific Lodge on Princess Royal Island

Bruce Constantineau
Sun

A coalition of eight coastal B.C. first nations plans to build at least three or four ultra-luxurious resort lodges that would be patterned after the successful King Pacific Lodge on Princess Royal Island on B.C.’s north coast.

Aboriginal tourism officials have already contacted King Pacific Lodge for help in managing the new facilities and several potential development sites have been identified — including one about 40 km north of Skidegate on the Queen Charlotte Islands.

King Pacific Lodge president Michael Uehara said the new lodges would cost from $8 million to $16 million each, with funds to be raised by attracting investors who would expect varying rates of return.

“The potential for these kinds of facilities is huge,” Uehara said in an interview. “They provide authentic adventure experiences in a five-star envelope and there aren’t a lot of those around the world.

“As baby boomers reach retirement, they’re looking less for access to fabulous buildings and more for those authentic natural experiences that are becoming rarer and rarer.”

He said the first new lodge to open would likely be the Queen Charlotte Islands property, possibly in 2007.

The exclusive King Pacific Lodge, which opened in 1999, features 14 guest rooms and three luxury suites, along with a spa, health club, lounge and dining room.

The floating wilderness lodge attracts high-end clients from all over the world and a seven-day stay at the resort — featuring guided hiking and kayaking, wildlife viewing, spa treatments, all meals and open bar — can cost up to $20,000 US per person, depending on the room. Uehara said it costs an average of $1,700 a day to stay at the lodge.

Coastal First Nations Initiative vice-president Colin Richardson, whose organization represents the eight first nations, said the coalition wants to build the new lodges so it can become a “real player” in tourism. The eight aboriginal groups would share ownership of each new lodge, with the host First Nation holding majority ownership.

“We’ve been looking at doing something like this for a couple of years now,” Richardson said in an interview.

“It’s a great way to build the economy and do it in a sustainable manner.”

He noted the Haida nation is already active in developing aboriginal tourism, with plans to open the first phase of a new $21-million, 50,000-square-foot heritage centre in Skidegate next year.

The value of aboriginal tourism across Canada is worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually but boosters expect those revenues to skyrocket when the fledgling industry reaches its full potential.

There are an estimated 100 aboriginal tourism companies operating throughout B.C. and at least another 100 working to become operational, involving a wide range of activities — including hiking businesses, kayaking firms, whale-watching operations, retail shops and interpretive centres.

© The Vancouver Sun 2005



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