National Geographic features area

By Joni MacFarlane
Reporter
Friday May 02, 2008

National Geographic’s newest cross-border geotourism initiative featuring the Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek was unveiled on April 17 in Calgary.
Centered on the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, and featuring the Rocky Mountain and foothill areas of Alberta, B.C. and Montana, the initiative was undertaken to promote geotourism for a unique and special place identified as the Crown of the Continent. The region spans 42,000 square kilometres and encompasses five tribal and First Nation reserves and two World Heritage Sites.
The National Geographic and local partners, began gathering geotourism nominations from the public last year. This was used to put together a mapguide and an interactive website, which highlights the environmental and cultural heritage in the transboundary Rockies. The project represents a large collaboration between dozens of organizations including communities, tourism bureaus, conservation and business groups, educators, First Nations, government agencies and others working in the region.
Geotourism is defined by National Geographic as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.” According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 55-65 million Americans fit the category of eco-tourists or eco-travellers as they are sometimes called. This equals roughly six million Canadians. “The objective of the mapguide” is to showcase the region’s most unique points of interest and to tell the broader story of a remarkable landscape beyond borders,” said Jonathan Tourtellot, director of National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations and senior editor for the map. “The Crown of the Continent is one of the most intact natural ecosystems in the temperate region of the world. This map tells the stories tied to this very special landscape.”

The design of the website allows for future growth. “People can nominate their favourite places and they can also rate any of the features on the site,” said Allen Gibson, representative for the Waterton Chamber of Commerce, one of the groups involved in the project. “As a traveller, I can look up where to go hiking in an area, and then where to get the best cinnamon bun afterwards.”
This website and mapguide presents many opportunities for business.
“The challenge for local businesses is to determine how to get yourself exposure and how these eco-travellers can find you,” said Gibson.
“If your business holds the principles of eco-tourism, this initiative will be a great tool to attract these people.”
By identifying the Crowsnest Pass and highlighting the unique aspects of the area, this designation will benefit both travellers and businesses as a significant geotourism region.The mapguide and web portal can be found at www.crownofthecontinent.net.