The Haida Gwaii Tourism Association plans to stay away from politics and focus on promoting the islands as a whole community, vice-president Urs Thomas said Saturday to those attending the association's annual general meeting in Port Clements.
"We had a lot of problems to get through (last year), I hope we'll learend something and will now try to do a better job in the future," said Mr. Thomas. "We decided at our November 22 meeting that the focus is on promoting the islands and to stay away from politics. To promote the islands as a whole community," he added.
Mr. Thomas also noted several successes the association had last year, including fulfilling a contract to run the visitor centre in Queen Charlotte, and sending out thousands of lure brochures and guide books. "There is a big demand for information," he said.
In closing, Mr. Thomas said the association needs more members and "I hope we can continue to promote the islands in a friendly and respectful way," he said, "please come out and help strengthen our tourism future"
The association then elected a new executive for the coming twelve months. Urs Thomas of Port was elected president, Carolyn Hesseltine of Queen Charlotte, treasurer; Michele Deakin, Queen Charlotte, secretary; Paddy McPeak and Brian Hillier, directors for Masset; Delina Myles, director for Port Clements, Cacilia Honisch, director for Tlell, and Mark Walsh and Brian Charman, directors for Sandspit. The association has two vacant directorships in each of Old Massett, Skidegate and Queen Charlotte and one in each of Port and Tlell.
Association members then heard a presentation from the feast for your Eyes video producers, hoping to sell them a promotional video, and Linda LaFleur, publisher of the Prince Rupert Daily News, offering her thoughts on advertising.
The association will hold its next regular meeting on March 13, location tba.