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DEH CHO
Tourist numbers declined significantly this summer in three territorial parks in the Deh Cho compared to last year.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment expects the new viewing platform and trail system beside the Trout River gorge to increase visitor numbers to the Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park next summer. The park had a 17 per cent decrease in tourist numbers this year compared to last. - photo courtesy of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment

A total of 1,284 people stayed in Blackstone Territorial Park, Fort Simpson Territorial Park and Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park this summer. That is a 32 per cent decrease from 1,899 visitors in 2010, said Mike Mageean, the regional superintendent of the Department of Industry Tourism and Investment.

Mageean said the decrease can be attributed to two primary factors: the first being the current economic climate. Visitors also said the high cost of travelling to the region, coupled with the lack of pavement or chipseal on the highway system, contributes to choosing alternative sites in the territory or other places in Canada to visit.

Blackstone Territorial Park, located on Highway 7, suffered the largest decline in visitor numbers with 60 per cent fewer people using the park. A total of 251 people used the park this summer compared to 615 in 2010.

At the Fort Simpson Territorial Park, visitor numbers declined by 20 per cent, while visitors to the Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park was down 17 per cent.

Despite the significant decline in numbers, Mageean said it was an excellent year for the parks.

"People love our parks," he said.

Visitors who stay in the parks say the three in the region are some of the nicest and best in Western Canada, said Mageean.

People enjoy the hospitality of the region, the beauty and the natural attractions, he said.

"We know here that we have a good product to offer to visitors visiting our region," said Mageean.

Mageean said the department is constantly working on improving marketing and advertisement campaigns. The department is looking at being more aggressive in marketing the parks in the region, he said.

The department has almost completed a project at Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park that Mageean said will encourage more people to stay and enjoy the park.

A two-storey viewing platform has been constructed beside the Trout River gorge. The platform has a ramp and wheelchair access on the lower level.

"It offers a wonderful view of the Sambaa Deh gorge," said Mageean.

The platform is connected with a new trail system. The new day-use area, which is located on the opposite side of the highway and across the bridge from the main park, will also include a parking lot with public restrooms and benches and garbage containers along the trails.

Mageean said the project is scheduled to be done in time for the May 15, 2012 opening of the park.

Plans are being made for improvements to the other two Deh Cho parks, said Mageean, but nothing is firm yet because the next capital budget for the department hasn't been set yet.

In Fort Liard, Cathy Kotchea is also trying to increase visitor numbers at Acho Dene Koe Native Crafts.

Kotchea said tourist numbers were very low at the store this year. The store averaged approximately 20 to 30 visitors a week and only one tour bus during the summer.

Kotchea has already started an advertising campaign for next year that includes having information about the store in the Fort Nelson Visitor Information Centre and The Milepost – a travel guide for the Alaska Highway and the surrounding area.

Kotchea said she thinks the conditions on Highway 7 were partially responsible for the lower visitor numbers this year.

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