BC’s Walters Cove Resort Re-opening for the 2022 Season
May 30, 2022 admin
KCFN Marina & Campground LP is extremely excited to announce the re-opening of Walters Cove Resort after being out of commission for two-plus long years. The land-based lodge on Walters Cove Island was forced to close in 2020 primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions and the additional discovery of structural deficiencies. Fast forward to 2022, despite their significant challenges, including starting their sales and marketing efforts in early January of 2022, the company persevered and managed to retain a new floating fishing lodge through a lease arrangement and meet the pent-up demand of their loyal customers.
General Manager Terry Schultz initiated plans to re-open their operations by engaging with Vancouver Island Forest and Marine (“VIFM”), who owns the “Englefield,” a luxurious floating lodge designed specifically for sports fishing. The floating accommodation had developed a following in Haida Gwaii while operated by West Coast Resorts before being moved to Kyuquot. The lodge will continue to do business as Walters Cove Resort, sporting a spacious lounge, dining room, gym, hot tub, and massage room, with all guest rooms having an ensuite washroom with shower. The acquisition of this lodge will maintain and improve upon the quality and expectations of loyal customers and allow Walters Cove Resort to renew operations exceeding what was offered before the pandemic. “When we notified our customers that we now plan to open in 2022, they did not hesitate to book with us. Despite our late start with our marketing efforts, we have already reached over 95% of our revenue goal, with many thanks to our loyal clients,” says Terry Schultz, General Manager, KMCLP.
“The re-opening of Walters Cove is an important step towards re-establishing our operations and rebuilding our economy within the Kyuquot Sound in a post-pandemic and economic reconciliation era,” said Cynthia Blackstone, CAO for KCFN Government and Board Chair, KCFN Group of Businesses. “The introduction of the new lodge will be the first of many important changes for the company and community in 2022.”
The new lodge is expected to generate sales in excess of $1 Million with greater than 80% of possible revenue. This at less than 50% of the customer capacity of what the lodge can support. “With the capacity of this new facility, it will allow for faster growth and diversification of offerings than the previous facility,” added Schultz, who noted the future plans of expanding into eco and cultural tourism.
The tourism and hospitality industry has recently undergone a significant hit due to the pandemic, and although the travel restrictions are mostly lifted, the markets have not fully rebounded. Furthermore, given the considerable labour shortage, executives at the resort were concerned they could recruit enough staff to serve the customer demand. KMCLP, Walters Cove Resort, in particular, has been operated since 2015, “Those of us at KCFN Group of Businesses, KCFN Government and the citizens are extremely pleased that we were able to re-open,” explained Gary Wilson, CEO, KCFN Group of Businesses. Gary goes on to say that “In celebration of the re-opening, the Group of Businesses and KCFN Government are hosting a celebratory event on Tuesday, June 21st (National Indigenous People’s Day). Key partners and industry stakeholders Destinations BC, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), Tourism Vancouver Island (4VI), Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC), Nuu-Chah-Nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC), and others including Honourable Minister Murray Rankin (Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation), have all received official invitations to share in this momentous occasion.”
“We look forward to celebrating the re-opening of Walters Cove Resort, and on behalf of the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’ First Nation, we extend our sincere thanks and welcome both our loyal and new guests into the Kyuquot/Chechleset territory!” says, Legislative Chief, Tony Hansen.
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