The B.C. government faces mounting criticism from the tourism industry in Canada and abroad over its decision to scrap the ferry route from Port Hardy to Bella Coola.
Tourism officials on Vancouver Island and in the Cariboo Chilcotin say getting rid of the Discovery Coast ferry — also known as Route 40 — will destroy businesses, kill jobs and give B.C. a “black eye” on the world stage.
“The losses are going to be high,” said Carly Perkovich of the Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce. “We’re already getting tons of reports coming in from operators, accommodations, all the rest, that have absolutely no bookings.”
Jonview Canada, a large tour operator, wrote Premier Christy Clark to say the decision will be “toxic” to the viability of lodges, campgrounds and other attractions along the Chilcotin Highway. German tour operators have voiced similar concerns.
Route 40 is considered a key part of the Discovery Coast Circle Tour in which motorists begin in Vancouver, take the ferry to Vancouver Island, travel north to Port Hardy, take another ferry to Bella Coola, drive through the Cariboo Chilcotin, then back south to Vancouver.
The government announced in November that it was killing the Discovery Coast route to save money and keep a lid on ferry fares. It says the route lost $7 million last year despite operating for only 13 weeks.
Instead of a direct trip from Port Hardy to Bella Coola aboard Queen of Chilliwack, tourists will have to take the Inside Passage ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Bella then switch boats for the trip to Bella Coola. The first 5.5 hours will be aboard a newer vessel. There will be a 1.5-hour wait before they board the 16-vehicle M.V. Nimpkish for the nine-hour trip to Bella Coola.
Critics say Nimpkish lacks seating, food and other amenities that foreign tourists expect on such a long journey. “That little ferry, if anything, is going to kill [the route],” said Petrus Rykes, a partner in the Eagle’s Nest Resort in Anahim Lake and vice-president of the West Chilcotin Tourism Association. “Once word gets out how bad it is, it’s just not going to do it. TripAdvisor is going to have a field day with this trip.”
Transportation Minister Todd Stone tried to appease critics Thursday by promising modest improvements to Nimpkish. “B.C. Ferries is going to ensure that there are comfortable seats, that there’s a comfortable heated interior, that there’s potable water, that there’s food and refreshments available.”
Stone also plans to “do right” by people who have already booked trips by giving them priority on the replacement service.
The Tourism Industry Association of B.C. expressed disappointment that Stone still intends to cancel Route 40. Ian Robertson, executive director, said the association had hoped Stone would reverse his decision at least for 2014 to allow tourism operators time to adjust. “We remain very, very skeptical that the Nimpkish will be able to provide a tourism experience,” he said. “Quite frankly, nine hours on that particular ferry is going to be unbearable.”
