BC Ferries warned service cuts could hurt tourism

A group of European travel companies is asking the provincial government to reconsider BC Ferries service cuts to the central coast.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced in Novemberthe province was planning to cut nearly$19 million in ferry services, including cuts to minor and northern ferry routes. Stone confirmed reductions were going ahead, despite widespread opposition, earlier this month.

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Tour operators in Germany are furious they were not told about the cuts, because their travel brochures were printed and trips were booked long before BC Ferries revealed its plans last fall.They say they are facing cancellations and huge financial losses,and have sent a letter to the province asking that it reconsiderits plans to cancel the Discovery Coast route this summer.

The Discovery Coast route, whichruns between Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and coastal communitieslike Bella Bella and BellaCoola, is vital to local tourism industries.

"With this short of notice, it's just crazy. These tour companies book a couple of years in advance in the wholesale tour company market," said Leonard Ellis, whose companyBella Coola Grizzly Bear Tours is popular among European travellers.

Ellis says he has already seen a sharp drop in bookings.

"The phone's not ringing. The emails are barely coming in whatsoever. We're getting nothing from European clientele."

The German companies are warning that cancelling the Discovery Coast route, in particular, could cause "serious and lasting damage" to tourism from Europe. They want the province to delay the cuts or provide financial compensation.

Ellis says if the cuts do go ahead, he could go bankrupt.

Discovery Coast route lost $7.5M last year

Hours before the B.C. government tabled the budget on Tuesday, Stone defended the BC Ferriesservice cuts. He told thelegislature the Discovery Coast route lost almost $7.5 million last year alone.He also said the vessel that currently serves the route will need to be replaced by 2017for upwards of $100 million.

Stone says the route currently serves only about 500 vehicles during the three months it is open.

Effective April 28, the route will be served less frequently by a smallervessel.