Ferry services to the Discovery Coast are changing not ending, Transportation Minister Todd Stone said.
“Even with the changes being made to the route there will still be a ferry connection between Port Hardy and Bella Coola, albeit via Bella Bella,” he told reporters during a media conference Thursday. “Passengers will still be able to take the inside passage between Port Hardy and Bella Bella on one of the two vessels that serve that route.”
Passengers would transfer from Bella Bella onto the MV Nimpkish and travel to Bella Coola.
“The total travel time will be 16 and a half hours,” he said, adding the Discovery Coast Circle Tour is important to government.
“We’ve sent invitations out to tourism operators and associations throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin and Bella Coola early today to meet with us in Victoria next week.”
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto said she will be visiting the Cariboo-Chilcotin in a few weeks to meet with tourism operators.
BC Ferries has committed to continue to marketing the circle tour and Destination BC has committed an additional $100,000 to market the region, Yamamoto said.