Unfortunately an extremely accurate description of the whole area. It isn’t good for residents or tourists. The situation has arisen because of the warning ticket policy only just recently changed according to the Mayor on the radio this morning, to issuing tickets. Residents have been fed up with wishy washy no ticket policies for years. The district mayor, council and staff are incompetent. That policy should have been changed a decade ago. Tourism Tofino is to blame as well for their policies of bringing as many visitors as possible to the area with no consideration of the impact on the residents or local environment. There are limits to the growth of this area and we have currently seriously exceeded them. How many of the current tourist flood will decide never to return.? How many of the local residents will decide to leave?
Let’s no forget Chesterman Beach Road. You can’t walk or ride your bike and have two cars pass. It’s an accident waiting to happen. DOT needs to start being proactive and not reactive.
Josie Osborne, simply, is not up to the job of dealing with this surge in tourism. She wasn't up to dealing with the pandemic. Only Dr. Marshall saved her butt on that one. She's not up to overseeing the sewage plant project. Proof is in the finances. She's not able to lead in the affordable housing issue. She's been led into a potential disaster. She's not able to adequately instruct bylaw in how to enforce existing laws regarding parking, camping, dogs, and campfires. She's not up to being the boss in the district office. Staff calls the shots there. Josie Osborne, simply, is not up to the job.
Myeahhh, no. One CAN push back the tide of holiday makers by restricting reservations to, say, Middle Beach Lodge, Bella Pacifica Campground and Cox Bay Beach Resort. If your staff is indeed doing this, Mr. Le Fevre, then I do apologize for this direct comment, but optics point elsewhere. You can't drop in on the local wave of discontent with a point-form letter. And thanks for clear-cutting Gibson Heights, by the way. Yay, nature 👍
As far as I'm concerned tourism toFino has been inviting everyone they could think of to the free party of toFino since early 2000. No one seemed to think it worth listening to if you mentioned inadequate water supply for large numbers of people and a sewage treatment system that didn't involve discharging directly into the ocean untreated. Over the last 10 years the tourism toFino hype has become the only message coming out of here causing all sorts of anticipation and preparations for those Bazilians of tourist dollars. Aided and abetted by various councils as the way to go. Water and sewer had no glamour or mystique or made any difference to anybody making money. They were nobody's concerns besides a bunch of local old crabby people who had been here too long and needed to lighten up. Fast forward to this summer we are all in a crowded bar and it's closing time. Someone stands up and yells to the thousands of people "there's a party in toFino!" And if you have ever been unlucky enough, like us, to have an unruly bunch of party animals over-running your house yard street and town after leaving the bar, it's no fun at all. the real culprit is tourism toFino yelling there's a party in toFino.
In spite of all the finger-pointing at each other or the government or somebody or something there's something I'd like to share that may or may not have something to do with quality of life. Good things sell themselves. In other words you don't need advertising for something as self-evident as the beauty of tofino. We have ended up with morons intent upon selling the place to morons. Their understanding is that there is something to sell here although they aren't sure what. It's bad enough that million$ are blown on wasted hot air and useless paper not to mention the really dumb touristy Street decorations. What advertising creates more often than not is unrealistic expectations. And unhappy customers. From my point of view the chaotic horde of BC residents thronging tofino may be so unruly and discontented not because they have nowhere else to go, but because their expectations aren't being met. Nor their basic needs. Perhaps a lesson in caution. The morons have no idea how to stop or limit the morons from coming here.
No, tourism tofino needs to wake up and realize that they should spend some of their advertising dollars on improving the quality of their visitors experiences while here in Tofino. There is no need to do the puff and poof stories for advertising purposes. It would be better to advertise the improvements that Tourism Tofino is making to the lives of the locals and visitors. I guess they'd have to do something positive for the town before they could do that. Oh right they are morons and can't see beaches for all the smoke they encourage. There is no way they'd try and improve the quality of life for the residents and will continue with the tried and proven bring lots of people and to hell with their experience or that of the residents.
How about Tourism Tofino picks up the tab for creating more parking at the beaches, their all day cleanup and all those free showers.
Here is my rant. There is an old saying. Fail to plan and you plan to fail. Tofino Councils have not got a serious attitude to basic infrastructure. Much more interested in social issues. Water Supply anyone. sewer? parking? housing? Bylaw enforcement and Public safety? Tofino doesn't want to upset anyone. it's bad for the optics that they run on. Tourism Tofino is loading the decks but the underpinnings are collapsing around us, and they don't care. Tofino tourism is making the dough and driving the show and your councils are just for show. The last few weeks it has been a miserable place to live.
Tourism Tofino is effectively running the town. Directly and indirectly
Half the voters in Tofino couldn't give a shit. Party on. Most are here short term anyways. No skin in the game. This just normal.
Tofino tourism should be paying for all of the beach needs, toilets showers cleaning garbage parking. After all, they have invited the world, But they have no interest in taking any responsibility. Just remember, to those who want to see more parking. "Build it and they will come". There is no limit to the amount of parking etc that can be supplied, that will not quickly be over used.
The answers to any and all of these questions requires an answer to this question "What kind of town do you want" Is anyone seriously asking this question. Tofino as theme park seems to be the answer.
How do you expect free parking to not be overused when the National Park charges. I know they are full these days too, but giver your head a shake. Our taxes that support the Park pay for a staff of dozens to do what Tofino needs to do in regard to managing the beaches etc.
And don't forget Botanical Gardens is in the tourist business too. What can you expect if not self interest.
These beaches are a finite resource. It is a shame to see them looking like some kind of Rio invasion has taken place. It is ugly, and so disappointing how it is all turning out.
Most of the problems cited are not due to people staying, at Middle Beach Lodge or else where. Those businesses have provided for their quests. Most of the problems are due to day visitors resulting in over capacity issues, like no adequate sanitation and parking, illegal camping and people shitting in the bushes. However Tourism Tofino gets an utter failing grade for overpromotion and a lack of responsibility, but it is the DOT who is supposed to be running the town. They get failing grades as well.
So how do we get Tourism Tofino to clean up after themselves? It is simple.
When the Resort vs Town Agreement that brings us all the "free Trojan Horse" gifts we end up having to maintain with our taxes ends soon, the whole agreement has to be turned on its head.
Instead of the Hotel accommodation taxes going to pay for more advertising and bringing more crowds to Tofino, the residents must DEMAND that the town receive ALL that revenue to pay for cleaning up the mess the resorts other advertising programs create in the area.
A considerable amount of the mess is created by beach fires late at night. Who can find a washroom in the dark or wants to when they are pissed? Who will clean up those deposits? Who will clean up the broken glass and beer cans? Who will give back the residents their lost sleep? Why do we allow beach fires when most of the island does not allow them? Is it because Tourism Tofino promotes them in their advertising?
There is one hell of a lot of logic to the banning of beach fires, collecting all the Tourist Accommodation tax for the district and stopping the spending of advertising dollars promoting Tofino until the current mess gets sorted out and civility returns.
Their promotion created the mess and now they have to pay to clean it up.
We will know soon as that hotel tax/RMI Trojan Gift tax is up for renewal this fall. If it doesn't change to the above suggestions I may be forced to move. The town is not that nice to live in any more anyway.
I'm guessing here that there are a lot of long time residents thinking the same thing. It just gets to a point where it isn't worth living here any more.
Longer term, to control tourism, put all the Air B&B's on 10 year notice that their short term rental licenses will expire at that time and all rentals will be for a minimum 1 month term. Then we'd presumably have some housing. If the town is still here by then.
Don't usually agree with much on this site, but agree that funds need to be redirected from advertising to dealing with tourists once they're here. It's out of control and there's no ability to deal with it.
7:54 AM. That's not gonna happen. There will be no negotiating with the provincial government. The mayor doesn't want to ruffle any feathers there, she's hoping to get a job with them after the next provincial election.
All you're going to hear is-- "This is a conversation we hope to get involved in" and "Unfortunately, we missed the deadline"
This is not a Tourism Tofino issue. This is 100% DOT's responsibility. Failure to plan for the inevitable is a trademark of this and past councils. No accountability for past staff failures as well...sewer...water...Massive financial mismanagement. Spend what we can afford with this tax base...200 people minus the Botanical Garden tax shelter/air B&B . Anything else is deficit spending and will lead to failure liberal style. Run for office later Josie. THC is unaffordable...simple math unless your a "Progressive" spend and taxer. Enjoy tax increases on all levels people. Our autocratic Dictator Trudy ain't done yet and neither is the district. Ram it through council who cares what the people think.
Now THC wants a $75000 cash advance...in a time like this week need to bag this project while Josie is on vacation lying to the province. All this with closed door meetings 0 support from the public... this stinks to high heaven.
Unfortunately an extremely accurate description of the whole area.
ReplyDeleteIt isn’t good for residents or tourists.
The situation has arisen because of the warning ticket policy only just recently changed according to the Mayor on the radio this morning, to issuing tickets. Residents have been fed up with wishy washy no ticket policies for years.
The district mayor, council and staff are incompetent. That policy should have been changed a decade ago.
Tourism Tofino is to blame as well for their policies of bringing as many visitors as possible to the area with no consideration of the impact on the residents or local environment.
There are limits to the growth of this area and we have currently seriously exceeded them.
How many of the current tourist flood will decide never to return.?
How many of the local residents will decide to leave?
Let’s no forget Chesterman Beach Road. You can’t walk or ride your bike and have two cars pass. It’s an accident waiting to happen. DOT needs to start being proactive and not reactive.
ReplyDeleteJosie Osborne, simply, is not up to the job of dealing with this surge in tourism.
ReplyDeleteShe wasn't up to dealing with the pandemic. Only Dr. Marshall saved her butt on that one.
She's not up to overseeing the sewage plant project. Proof is in the finances.
She's not able to lead in the affordable housing issue. She's been led into a potential disaster.
She's not able to adequately instruct bylaw in how to enforce existing laws regarding parking, camping, dogs, and campfires.
She's not up to being the boss in the district office. Staff calls the shots there.
Josie Osborne, simply, is not up to the job.
Myeahhh, no. One CAN push back the tide of holiday makers by restricting reservations to, say, Middle Beach Lodge, Bella Pacifica Campground and Cox Bay Beach Resort. If your staff is indeed doing this, Mr. Le Fevre, then I do apologize for this direct comment, but optics point elsewhere. You can't drop in on the local wave of discontent with a point-form letter. And thanks for clear-cutting Gibson Heights, by the way. Yay, nature 👍
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned tourism toFino has been inviting everyone they could think of to the free party of toFino since early 2000. No one seemed to think it worth listening to if you mentioned inadequate water supply for large numbers of people and a sewage treatment system that didn't involve discharging directly into the ocean untreated.
ReplyDeleteOver the last 10 years the tourism toFino hype has become the only message coming out of here causing all sorts of anticipation and preparations for those Bazilians of tourist dollars. Aided and abetted by various councils as the way to go. Water and sewer had no glamour or mystique or made any difference to anybody making money. They were nobody's concerns besides a bunch of local old crabby people who had been here too long and needed to lighten up.
Fast forward to this summer we are all in a crowded bar and it's closing time. Someone stands up and yells to the thousands of people "there's a party in toFino!"
And if you have ever been unlucky enough, like us, to have an unruly bunch of party animals over-running your house yard street and town after leaving the bar, it's no fun at all. the real culprit is tourism toFino yelling there's a party in toFino.
Josie Osborne, Tofino's elected mayor, (elected to represent the interests of the citizens of Tofino), sits on the board of Tourism Tofino.
ReplyDeleteLets have a conversation, she said
ReplyDeleteThe mayor is twixt and between.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of all the finger-pointing at each other or the government or somebody or something there's something I'd like to share that may or may not have something to do with quality of life.
ReplyDeleteGood things sell themselves.
In other words you don't need advertising for something as self-evident as the beauty of tofino.
We have ended up with morons intent upon selling the place to morons. Their understanding is that there is something to sell here although they aren't sure what.
It's bad enough that million$ are blown on wasted hot air and useless paper not to mention the really dumb touristy Street decorations.
What advertising creates more often than not is unrealistic expectations. And unhappy customers.
From my point of view the chaotic horde of BC residents thronging tofino may be so unruly and discontented not because they have nowhere else to go, but because their expectations aren't being met. Nor their basic needs.
Perhaps a lesson in caution. The morons have no idea how to stop or limit the morons from coming here.
The solution is obvious! We need a survey, a study and more consultants.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely! hire catalyst to take more of our tax dollars
ReplyDeleteNo, tourism tofino needs to wake up and realize that they should spend some of their advertising dollars on improving the quality of their visitors experiences while here in Tofino. There is no need to do the puff and poof stories for advertising purposes. It would be better to advertise the improvements that Tourism Tofino is making to the lives of the locals and visitors. I guess they'd have to do something positive for the town before they could do that.
ReplyDeleteOh right they are morons and can't see beaches for all the smoke they encourage. There is no way they'd try and improve the quality of life for the residents and will continue with the tried and proven bring lots of people and to hell with their experience or that of the residents.
How about Tourism Tofino picks up the tab for creating more parking at the beaches, their all day cleanup and all those free showers.
5:22 I'm with you
ReplyDeleteHere is my rant.
ReplyDeleteThere is an old saying. Fail to plan and you plan to fail. Tofino Councils have not got a serious attitude to basic infrastructure. Much more interested in social issues. Water Supply anyone. sewer? parking? housing? Bylaw enforcement and Public safety? Tofino doesn't want to upset anyone. it's bad for the optics that they run on. Tourism Tofino is loading the decks but the underpinnings are collapsing around us, and they don't care. Tofino tourism is making the dough and driving the show and your councils are just for show.
The last few weeks it has been a miserable place to live.
Tourism Tofino is effectively running the town. Directly and indirectly
Half the voters in Tofino couldn't give a shit. Party on. Most are here short term anyways. No skin in the game. This just normal.
Tofino tourism should be paying for all of the beach needs, toilets showers cleaning garbage parking. After all, they have invited the world, But they have no interest in taking any responsibility. Just remember, to those who want to see more parking. "Build it and they will come". There is no limit to the amount of parking etc that can be supplied, that will not quickly be over used.
The answers to any and all of these questions requires an answer to this question "What kind of town do you want" Is anyone seriously asking this question. Tofino as theme park seems to be the answer.
How do you expect free parking to not be overused when the National Park charges. I know they are full these days too, but giver your head a shake. Our taxes that support the Park pay for a staff of dozens to do what Tofino needs to do in regard to managing the beaches etc.
And don't forget Botanical Gardens is in the tourist business too. What can you expect if not self interest.
These beaches are a finite resource. It is a shame to see them looking like some kind of Rio invasion has taken place. It is ugly, and so disappointing how it is all turning out.
ReplyDeleteMost of the problems cited are not due to people staying, at Middle Beach Lodge or else where. Those businesses have provided for their quests. Most of the problems are due to day visitors resulting in over capacity issues, like no adequate sanitation and parking, illegal camping and people shitting in the bushes.
ReplyDeleteHowever Tourism Tofino gets an utter failing grade for overpromotion and a lack of responsibility, but it is the DOT who is supposed to be running the town. They get failing grades as well.
So how do we get Tourism Tofino to clean up after themselves?
ReplyDeleteIt is simple.
When the Resort vs Town Agreement that brings us all the "free Trojan Horse" gifts we end up having to maintain with our taxes ends soon, the whole agreement has to be turned on its head.
Instead of the Hotel accommodation taxes going to pay for more advertising and bringing more crowds to Tofino, the residents must DEMAND that the town receive ALL that revenue to pay for cleaning up the mess the resorts other advertising programs create in the area.
A considerable amount of the mess is created by beach fires late at night. Who can find a washroom in the dark or wants to when they are pissed? Who will clean up those deposits? Who will clean up the broken glass and beer cans? Who will give back the residents their lost sleep?
Why do we allow beach fires when most of the island does not allow them?
Is it because Tourism Tofino promotes them in their advertising?
There is one hell of a lot of logic to the banning of beach fires, collecting all the Tourist Accommodation tax for the district and stopping the spending of advertising dollars promoting Tofino until the current mess gets sorted out and civility returns.
Their promotion created the mess and now they have to pay to clean it up.
We will know soon as that hotel tax/RMI Trojan Gift tax is up for renewal this fall.
If it doesn't change to the above suggestions I may be forced to move. The town is not that nice to live in any more anyway.
I'm guessing here that there are a lot of long time residents thinking the same thing.
It just gets to a point where it isn't worth living here any more.
Longer term, to control tourism, put all the Air B&B's on 10 year notice that their short term rental licenses will expire at that time and all rentals will be for a minimum 1 month term. Then we'd presumably have some housing. If the town is still here by then.
Don't usually agree with much on this site, but agree that funds need to be redirected from advertising to dealing with tourists once they're here. It's out of control and there's no ability to deal with it.
ReplyDelete9:48 AM Agree. It's time to renegotiate with the province. Tourism Tofino needs to become more than just a promotional tool
ReplyDelete7:54 AM. That's not gonna happen. There will be no negotiating with the provincial government. The mayor doesn't want to ruffle any feathers there, she's hoping to get a job with them after the next provincial election.
ReplyDeleteAll you're going to hear is-- "This is a conversation we hope to get involved in" and "Unfortunately, we missed the deadline"
This is not a Tourism Tofino issue. This is 100% DOT's responsibility. Failure to plan for the inevitable is a trademark of this and past councils. No accountability for past staff failures as well...sewer...water...Massive financial mismanagement. Spend what we can afford with this tax base...200 people minus the Botanical Garden tax shelter/air B&B . Anything else is deficit spending and will lead to failure liberal style. Run for office later Josie. THC is unaffordable...simple math unless your a "Progressive" spend and taxer. Enjoy tax increases on all levels people. Our autocratic Dictator Trudy ain't done yet and neither is the district. Ram it through council who cares what the people think.
ReplyDeleteincompetence is rewarded here with a raise or promotion
ReplyDeleteYour Tax Dollars at Work.
ReplyDeleteThe District of Tofino crews are working overtime to Educate you with this video.
(posted August 27th 2020)
https://youtu.be/N0kmosWvDE4
Tourism Tofino should be paying to empty those bins.
ReplyDeleteNow THC wants a $75000 cash advance...in a time like this week need to bag this project while Josie is on vacation lying to the province. All this with closed door meetings 0 support from the public... this stinks to high heaven.
ReplyDelete