Introduction
Klemtu and the Kitasoo/Xaixais opened their doors to tourists
in 1996 when the first passenger ferry in 19 years landed
in its beautiful harbour. Since this time Klemtu has been
offering cultural tours of Klemtu Village, fishing tours and
tours to view the Spirit bear. Now, Klemtu Tourism is offering
several exciting ecotours to attract and embrace tourism to
its community and territory. Klemtu Tourism offers sensational
opportunities for nature lovers, sea kayakers, fishermen,
and those wishing to learn about Native culture. All aspects
of our tours are given thoughtful consideration with the goal
of producing the best possible experience for our guests.
We have had the privilege to host guests from every corner
of the globe on our unique ecotours and each year many of
our guests are repeat customers. Our tours are physically
and mentally satisfying vacations that are structured to be
both safe and fun.
The
development of Klemtu Tourism is central to the future safeguarding
of the Great Bear Rainforest. It allows the community of Klemtu
to derive an income and employment from the rainforest without
having to destroy it. By being locally owned and controlled
by a native community, the company is a rare example of genuine
ecotourism. One hundred percent of the jobs and economic benefits
accrue to the community and the Kitasoo/Xaixais people and
the community has a direct say in how tourism in the region
is managed.
Klemtu
Tourism works closely with several environmental/conservation
groups as well as Universities and scientists involved in
the area. We share ideas and work together in many areas,
whether it’s conducting on the ground research, such
as bear monitoring, or receiving input in our tourism policy,
or educating visitors about resource issues and minimum impact
travel. We also often invite Rainforest campaigners onto the
tours to educate our guests about local environmental issues,
campaigns and projects. Because the company is owned and operated
by a First nations community we also try to educate tour guests
about the socio-economic realities of living in a remote coastal
community and mitigating some of the Native stereotypes. There
is still a lot of poverty in Klemtu when compared to North
American standards. We don’t try to hide this or make
excuses. Rather, we educate visitors about the local issues.
Klemtu
Tourism is taking active steps to try and manage tourism activity
in the region. We are in the process of developing a Sustainable
Tourism Policy and an Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) Framework
for our operations. Part of these initiatives will involve
the development of guidelines to ensure that vulnerable wildlife
like the spirit bears and their habitat remain undisturbed.
Klemtu Tourism is also trying to engage other companies operating
in the area to join in these initiatives and to work with
the Klemtu community. We hope that through these efforts in
ecotourism development that Klemtu Tourism will become a major
player in the sustainable development of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Guides
Two highly trained guides with many years of experience accompany
all trips. At least one guide will be local to Klemtu. Guides
are multi-talented outdoors people and are long time explorers
of Kitasoo/Xaixais Traditional Territory. They are knowledgeable
experts about the areas cultural and natural history and are
eager to share their knowledge and experience. Our guides
are trained and certified in first aid and hold all other
appropriate industry certification. Some hold degrees in natural
sciences and/or other disciplines.
Tour
Food
Food on our tours is a key element. We use the freshest available
ingredients to prepare wilderness gourmet meals, which are
wholesome and hearty. We will also provide high-energy snacks
and drinks throughout the day. Whenever possible we will harvest
fresh seafood from the surrounding waters. With advance notice
most dietary requests can be accommodated. Please indicate
special dietary requests and allergies on your registration
form provided in the confirmation package. For further information
about diets and allergies please contact our office.
Accommodations
All Klemtu Tourism tours use our custom designed coastal huts.
These are new huts, which have been built, in traditional
style. The coastal huts are situated at beautiful secluded
wilderness locations in the Kitasoo/Xaixais Traditional Territory
including Kitasu Bay, Fjordlands and the Inside Passage. Each
hut can accommodate 12 guests. Complete hut amenities include
a wood stove, propane cooking stove, cooking and eating utensils,
and pit toilets. In addition to using the Kitasu Bay hut,
the Waters of the Kitasoo sea kayak tour will include a camping
component. Our camps are modern and comfortable. We use high-quality
three season tents by Sierra Designs and Thermarest
pads, and a bombproof tarping system to keep guests warm and
dry.
Local
transportation
For tour transportation and shuttles we use a safe and comfortable
water taxi style of vessel. This is a high-speed craft that
can access the natural and cultural sites quickly and easily.
We also use a tender so we can access some of the more sensitive
wildlife sites with minimal noise.
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