COTA on Technology
In the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century, it is critical that, across all regions of British Columbia, the tourism industry has the ability to utilize the latest technological advances to develop, promote and sell its tourism products. By any measure, tourism is a vital component of the province's economic health, generating wealth and jobs.

COTA on Transportation
Access to transportation routes is the lifeline that links travelers with the thousands of beautiful tourism destinations in this province. From coast to coast and border to border, COTA believes that all modes of transportation must reliably accommodate travel patterns. Whether by land, water or air, moving tourist efficiently into and through the interior is a main priority. Public policy guiding transportation development and maintenance must be driven by a commitment to efficient and cost-friendly access into and throughout the province. Policy must hold the needs of the traveling public as paramount.

COTA on Highways
B.C. enjoys a vast and strikingly beautiful terrain. In many areas of the province, highways are the only viable means of tourism travel. COTA believes that the province's highways need to be upgraded to provide safe, convenient and comfortable service to the traveling public

COTA on Air Transportation

Air transportation is one of the most important facilitators of tourism development, bringing high yield markets from around the world to British

Columbia, and assisting them in accessing attractions throughout the province. To ensure that the air transportation sector in BC and Canada remains competitive with other regions of the world in supporting tourism development, COTA believes the following are essential:

Enhancing Capacity from International and Domestic Markets
  • Open Skies Agreements with all of BCs emerging and priority tourism markets must be established, allowing market forces to determine the volume of tourists to BC, not government regulation
  • Rents imposed by the federal government on airports must be reduced or eliminated, to enable airports to reduce landing fees and allowing airlines to reduce ticket prices and increase service levels
  • The establishment of foreign-owned but Canadian domiciled carriers (the right of establishment) must be permitted in Canada, thereby allowing increased capacity and competition to domestic and foreign markets by foreign-owned carriers
  • Foreign ownership limits imposed on domestic carriers must be increased from 25% to 49%, thereby boosting investment in the Canadian air system
Enhancing Access to Tourism Destinations beyond the Vancouver Gateway
  • Small and regional airports should have government capital assistance programs available to them to support the enhancement of physical and technological infrastructure, enabling them to attract increased air traffic
  • Connectivity between airlines (and countries of origin) should be improved, enabling the seamless transition of passengers from one airline to another, and opening flight options of carriers to new regions
Improving Efficiency and Affordability
  • Additional fees and surcharges should be minimized as much as possible, such as the Air Travellers Security Charge and excise fuel taxes, and all associated revenues from these fees and surcharges should be applied to air transportation priorities, rather than government general revenue
COTA on Ferries
British Columbia's ferries are a floating highway, essential to the province's overall transportation network. Threats of service disruptions due to strikes can cause a serious downturn in tourism, as well as harm the reputation of B.C.'s tourism industry. COTA believes that ferries must offer reliable service and affordable passage. COTA has taken the position that no interruptions to service are tolerable and has made recommendations to government in support of replacing strike action with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to prevent further service disruptions.

Northern ferry service is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the provincial highways system and for the development of the tourism industry in BC. To improve Northern ferry service, COTA supports the four-ship service option presented by BC Ferries for the increased capacity, reliability, and efficiency the new vessels will provide.
         
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