Stores that will attract destination shoppers and more beds for tourists are keys to the future success of Squamish.
These are two main findings of studies presented to District of 樱桃视频Council earlier this month.
Economic Development Officer Lee Malleau commissioned the reports. The consulting firm Grant Thornton did the accommodation strategy and Trek International did the retail study.
Malleau presented the reports to council on April 5 and answered questions from the members of council.
The EDO told lawmakers there's considerable room for more hotel, motel and other accommodation types.
"樱桃视频has a moderately underdeveloped accommodation sector considering its proximity to Canada's largest and most significant resort destination," Malleau said.
She feels a number of factors are working together to make 樱桃视频an attractive place for new tourism sector investment. The factors include the Olympics in 2010, the complete redevelopment of the waterfront area and downtown and the construction of a visitor information centre near the entrance to downtown.
Grant Thornton concluded some of the older accommodation businesses are not appealing to travelers. Some of the properties will likely "exit the market as land prices increase."
"Market analysis for 樱桃视频has identified conservatively that the market has the capacity to support 265 to 365 additional hotel/motel units by 2010," the Grant Thornton report said.
On top of those tourist spaces, bed and breakfast and nature-based alternatives are well suited for Squamish.
The strategy suggests some specific things 樱桃视频should have between now and the Olympics. The list includes a quality hotel on the highway, a downtown/waterfront hotel with a theme of some kind, conference space, more camp facilities, more bed and breakfasts and more lodges and cabins.
Coun. Jeff Dawson wanted a reassurance the report wouldn't sit on a shelf.
Malleau said the strategy is an important tool she is already using in discussions with potential investors.
"There's a waiting list of private sector interests that want to see this report," Malleau told Council.
After discussing the accommodation strategy Malleau drew council's attention to the retail consumer analysis. She said outshopping and downtown strategies are addressed as key components in the analysis.
"Downtown strategies should employ a variety of approaches including the retrofitting of existing buildings to accommodate larger-format international retailers and specialty shops that focus on the 'experience' of the shopper," Trek concluded. "A global shopping experience in 樱桃视频must match or be able to compete with the shopping experiences at Park Royal Village or Whistler Village."
The author of the report suggests there is great opportunity with redevelopment slated for the Nexen land and Interfor's sawmill land.
"The key strategic advantage for 樱桃视频remains the fact that the region does not presently have many distinctive waterfront shopping/entertainment experience destinations," the analysis indicates.
The study offered a warning heard many times in the past that existing retailers need to prepare for the arrival of Wal-Mart and Home Depot by preparing for the additional traffic the big retailers draw, improving customer service and finding efficiencies.
"The key recommendations of the report focus on the opportunity to create an 'experience' for shoppers that appeals to the human senses, that entertains, and that provides options for the entire family in a wide variety of retail," Malleau said.
Malleau will use the two reports as she works with accommodation and retail sector investors to attract money for projects in Squamish.
