Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (RMV) is developing its sustainable tourism plans through waste reduction, helping to replenish salmon stocks and encouraging local community environmental initiatives.
The company says it owes much of its success to the unspoiled scenery, fresh air and abundant wildlife of Canada’s West, and its caretaker’s programme, established in 2003, aims to help protect these assets.
Waste Reduction
RMV aims to cut its waste by 50% by the end of its 2009 season by increasing recycling levels on all Rocky Mountaineer routes and the Whistler Mountaineer train, working in partnership with local recycling operators. In 2008 the company recycled over 82% of its meal trays and reduced rubbish diverted to landfill by 10%.
Salmon – A Dying Breed
The Rocky Mountaineer and Whistler Mountaineer routes follow some of the most important salmon habitats in North America. Facing the pressures of climatic change, warm water and unpredictable flows, some of these once abundant populations of salmon have declined to the point that they are swimming a fine line between survival and extinction.
Salmon populations are in huge decline so RMV has entered into a long-term eight-year financial partnership with the Pacific Salmon Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to rebuilding sustainable and naturally diverse Pacific salmon stocks. The eight-year commitment is the equivalent of two salmon lifecycles.
Local Community Initiatives
The company uses local businesses and suppliers whenever possible and RMV guests contribute to local economies through accommodation, dining, shopping and by visiting local attractions. For example, since opening up its route to Quesnel, the region has seen an economic benefit of $1.5 million.
The company recently won Tourism British Columbia’s ‘Foresight and Sustainability Award’ for leadership in sustainable tourism policies and programs.
