Forests have been central to British Columbia’s economy for generations. Logging and wood processing have long supported employment, community development, and regional manufacturing. Today, however, travel patterns and economic trends are shifting. More visitors are coming to B.C. specifically for outdoor recreation and scenic experiences. Forest tourism is bringing increased attention to tourism as a forest-based economic opportunity. As a result, many communities are exploring how tourism and sustainable forestry can coexist, each contributing value in different ways.
A Changing Economic Landscape
Although forestry remains an important sector, tourism tied to forests is becoming more prominent in numerous parts of the province. Towns located near major trail systems, old-growth stands, provincial parks, and coastal wilderness areas often see tourism emerge as a significant year-round contributor to local business activity. Outdoor recreation has steadily grown in popularity, and forest destinations play a major role in that rise.
For some communities, tourism provides a second economic pillar alongside forestry. Rather than relying solely on shifting global wood markets, local businesses can benefit from a steady flow of visitors who travel for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing. This broader base of economic activity can help support long-term stability.
Why Forest Tourism Creates Lasting Value
Forest-based tourism tends to distribute benefits across many small and medium-sized businesses. It does not rely on one major employer but instead supports a network of services, including accommodation, restaurants, transportation, equipment rentals, and guided outdoor activities. This diversification can make local economies more resilient during industry downturns.
Some of the reasons tourism brings lasting value include:
- Wide distribution of revenue: Visitor spending reaches multiple sectors of local economies, benefiting a broad range of workers and business owners.
- Support for community assets: Trails, viewpoints, campgrounds, and recreation infrastructure enhance quality of life for residents while attracting visitors.
- Long-term growth potential: Interest in nature-based travel has expanded steadily over the past decade, suggesting continued opportunity for development.
- Encouragement for conservation: Well-managed forests and scenic landscapes remain strong tourism draws, creating incentives to maintain environmental health.
Tourism and Forestry: Not Opposing Forces
Tourism does not replace the importance of forestry, nor does it need to be in conflict with it. Both industries can operate side by side with careful planning. Many forested regions already manage land for multiple uses, allowing recreation, conservation, and timber harvest to occur in designated areas. Modern forest management aims to balance environmental, economic, and recreational values to meet long-term community needs.
In some locations, forests harvested in the past have later been used for trail networks once they have regenerated. In other cases, areas with high scenic or recreational value are prioritized for tourism, while nearby working forests continue producing timber. This flexible approach allows communities to retain the benefits of forestry while developing new opportunities in the tourism sector.
How Visitors Contribute to Forest Communities
Visitors who travel for forest activities contribute economically in many ways. They spend on accommodation, food, transportation, retail goods, outdoor equipment, and guided experiences related to recreation. Because their spending spans multiple categories, it often reaches a wide cross-section of the local economy.
Common activities that draw visitors to forested regions include:
- Hiking on short or multi-day trails
- Wildlife and landscape viewing
- Scenic driving routes and lookouts
- Backcountry and front-country camping
- Mountain biking, trail running, and outdoor fitness events
- Forest canopy walks or elevated viewing experiences
Communities often find that these visitors support various service industries and help sustain jobs that remain in demand throughout much of the year.
Regions that maintain both forestry operations and well-planned tourism amenities often experience greater economic diversity. This blend can help communities adapt to market fluctuations by relying on more than one industry for growth and stability.
Recognizing the Challenges
While tourism presents opportunities, it also comes with challenges that require careful management. Visitor demand can vary seasonally, creating pressure on certain services during peak months. Trails and natural areas need regular maintenance to prevent erosion, manage waste, and protect sensitive habitats. Adequate signage, parking, and safety measures also become essential as visitor numbers rise.
Forestry faces its own challenges, including shifting global demand, fibre supply constraints, and the need for ongoing modernization to remain competitive. For communities long connected to forestry, economic transitions require thoughtful planning, skills training, and investment in new opportunities without undermining the value of existing industry sectors.
A Balanced Path Forward
B.C.’s forests provide much more than raw material. They offer recreation, scenery, wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and opportunities for local economic development. As tourism grows, it highlights the importance of maintaining healthy, accessible forests — not just for residents, but also for the visitors who support local economies.
Communities that embrace both sustainable forestry and responsible tourism often gain the most long-term benefit. By planning forests for multiple uses, investing in recreation infrastructure, and maintaining a strong forestry workforce, many regions are working toward a balanced future that values all the contributions forests can make.
This balanced approach helps ensure that forests continue to support livelihoods, attract visitors, and remain healthy for generations to come.