Tourism Feasibility Studies

A tourism feasibility study is strategic research conducted for the purpose of determining the market and economic viability and potentiality of a specifictourism attraction or business within the city or other geographic boundaries. It typically identifies the size, type/focus, markets and (re)positioning of the opportunities as well as the revenue projections. As most destinations are seasonal in nature, it’s imperative to accurately assess the type of tourists, their spending power as well as opportunities to attract local and regional residents. A comprehensive assessment ensures sustainable operations in both the short and long term as well as optimum synergistic impacts to complementary businesses.

Tourism Feasibility Studies in British Columbia

Policy discussion paper on Regional Tourism Planning Opportunities for Tourism Canada, Victoria, B.C.

Our paper examined each region of the Province and highlighted the opportunities for resort, touring, and outdoor recreation/eco-tourism development.

Wine Country Welcome Centre, Oliver, B.C.

Highest & best use development strategy to maximize site’s revenue potential: uses examined included restaurant/retail, hotel, spa/wellness center, culinary facilities, meeting space, office and residential. Both residential & tourism demand were examined to further assist in positioning Oliver as an agricultural resort destination.

Gastown, Vancouver, B.C.

Visioning and marketing strategy for the revitalization of historic Gastown specifically to encourage higher resident and tourism (off season) visitation and sales.

Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, Vancouver, B.C.

Several market surveys of visitors and residents to the downtown area of Vancouver exploring various issues related to increasing visitation.

Fairmont Golf Community, Nanoose, B.C.

Market study of an 18-hole championship golf course for this planned integrated resort community located just north of Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island.

Morningstar Golf Community, French Creek, B.C.

Market study of an 18-hole championship golf course and residential component for this planned integrated resort retirement community located just north of Parksville on central Vancouver Island.

Storey Golf Community, French Creek, B.C.

Market study of an 18-hole championship golf course located just south of Campbell River on Vancouver Island.

Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, B.C.

Retail, food & beverage expansion, and remerchandising strategy.

Cultural & Arts Profile for Portside, Vancouver, B.C.

Market and product profile of the CARE (Cultural Arts Retail and Entertainment) facilities in downtown Vancouver, prepared as a marketing package to attract tenants and annual feature events such as Cirque du Soliel to Portside.

Aberdeen Centre, Richmond, B.C.

Redevelopment and expansion strategy for this existing Asian oriented shopping centre incorporating cultural, arts, recreation, and entertainment (CARE) facilities within the project to reposition it to also cater to non '96Asian residents as well as become a major tourist attraction for the Vancouver region. Study also identified ways to integrate the centre into the existing fabric of the extensive Asia West district in Richmond '96the largest concentration of Asian retailing in North America.

Downtown Vernon Association Concept & CARE Plan, Vernon, B.C.

An economic development, transportation, urban design, and land use planning strategy to stimulate additional revitalization to the downtown core and position it as a tourist destination. CARE (Cultural, Arts, Retail, & Entertainment) development & merchandising strategy by assessing the community’s economic and market potential and recommending uses, tenants, events, design guidelines plus tourism packaging.

Downtown Vernon, Revelstoke & Squamish, B.C.

Market studies, merchandising and implementation plans including addressing specific issues facing these downtowns, identifying ways to stimulate tourism as well as preparation of a business recruitment package to assist in attracting specific merchants to downtown Vernon.

Fraser River Discovery Centre, New Westminster, B.C.

Market & financial feasibility, economic impact, financing options, and merchandising strategy for this Eco-museum complex in the city of New Westminster, Greater Vancouver.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery, B.C.

Market and Socio-economic impact study and management plan to assess the opportunity for a significant visitor attraction in the village of Stevenson, to be self-financing upon completion. This is a national historic parks site and the work was prepared for Parks Canada.

Portside Mixed Use Waterfront Development & Convention Centre, Vancouver, B.C.

Examined the retail potential and merchandising strategy, including interest from retail and entertainment operators, for this extensive redevelopment of Vancouver's waterfront. Situated next to Gastown & the downtown core, the planned uses were an extension to the trade & convention centre, cruise terminal, seabus/skytrain station, and 1000 room Marriott hotel.

Tourism Feasibility Studies in the United States

Mixed use development, downtown Phoenix, AZ

Development & merchandising strategy for the retail & entertainment component to help revitalize the downtown & stimulate additional tourism.

Alpine Village Mixed Use Development, McCall, Idaho

Retail development & merchandising strategy for this MXD located in downtown McCall including development & design guidelines to help integrate & revitalize downtown McCall & strengthen it as a tourist resort destination.

International Tourism Feasibility Studies

Newcastle Waterfront & Cultural District Revitalization

Situated at the gateway of the Hunter Valley, one of Australia's premiere wine regions, development and marketing strategies were identified to revitalize both the waterfront and adjacent cultural district.

Lincoln Cove Resort and Residential Community, South Australia, Australia

Marketing Analysis of Retail, Hotel, Recreation and Residential components. Development and implementation of a marketing plan to ensure synergy between these facilities and that they were marketed as an integrated resort community and major tourist attraction.

Whitsunday Rent-a-Yacht, Shute Harbour, Queensland

Marketing plan for the largest bareboat chartering company in the South Pacific.

National Heritage Tourist Attraction, Grand Cayman Island, C.A.

Market feasibility and development strategy for this restaurant and interpretative centre within an historic site.

Vendors Arcade, St. Lucia, Caribbean

Feasibility assessment of a waterfront retail development catering to tourists and local residents.

Handicraft Centre, Grenada Caribbean

Feasibility assessment of an arts and crafts centre to develop local artisan skills and employment, as well as fill product niches serving cruise ship and destination tourists.

New Town Centers, Santiago, Chile

Mixed Use Development Opportunity Analysis and Marketing Guidelines for repositioning two regional shopping centers into major town centres and tourism attractions. One of these is situated next to a planned subway extension linking it to the downtown core of Santiago.