March 9, 2001 For Immediate Release

Jeff Zeiger, the Chair of UNBC's Resource Recreation and Tourism program, is a co-author of a unique guidebook on developing tourism opportunities in northern communities.
The 30-page publication includes chapters on the components and impacts of tourism, as well as the planning and implementation process.

"Tourism is the world's largest and fastest growing industry, and ecotourism is the fastest growing part of the tourism industry. Clearly, it's a major component to the diversification efforts of northern rural and First Nations communities," says Dr Zeiger. "Planning is key to maximizing the local impacts of tourism, and this new manual provides information about a planning process that works."

The manual is being sent to all northern BC First Nations, chambers of commerce, and economic development officers. Dr Zeiger has also been invited to present workshops on tourism development in Tumbler Ridge, Mackenzie, and Smithers.

Copies of Planning for Tourism: A Guide for Northern Canadian Rural Communities are available by contacting Dr Zeiger.