15.1°C Not observed 
Tourism preserves natural values (if properly done) for it is natural values that attract tourism. It is more often than not tourism that economically underpins natural values, and so acts as an economic counter-pressure on the side of conservation…(if properly done).
An article by Brian Lewis in the Province newspaper last year, “Much More Than a Series of Trails”, describes an exciting new development along the Fraser from the Lower Mainland to Hope. Lillooet could glean some good ideas about incremental Fraser River development as a tourism-conservation resource:
“It's called the ‘Experience The Fraser’ project, a long-term initiative still in the early planning stage that will provide a 160-kilometre network of trails, parks, and recreational, cultural and tourism facilities on both sides of the Fraser, from its mouth to Hope.
“’The main goal right now is to get the basic message out and bring as many partnering groups on board as possible,’ co-chair Gayle Martin (of the Fraser Valley Regional District subcommittee established to spearhead the project with $2.5 million in provincial startup funding), says.
“Martin adds that one of the key partnering groups will be regional First Nations, and says meetings are now being arranged with the Fraser Valley's two Sto:lo organizations, the Sto:lo Tribal Council and the Sto:lo Nation. She explains that First Nations' roles could include native interpretation and presentation centres along the route, as well as tourism business ventures.
“’Both demonstration projects will open officially next May, but we see the overall project as much more than just a series of hiking and biking trails,’ Martin points out. She explains that the project is open to a wide variety of ideas from public organizations as well as the private sector, and could include boat launches, river cruises, campgrounds, sports-fishing facilities, bed-and-breakfasts and perhaps even floating hotels.
“In terms of riverside infrastructure, organizers say they're thinking in terms of attractions similar to those enjoyed along major European rivers such as the Danube or the Rhine.”
“Another key goal will be to provide eco-tourism opportunities while enhancing the Fraser's habitat protection, Martin explains.”
Lillooet is in a prime location along one of the world's truly great rivers and is situated a relatively short and scenic drive away from Whistler. The Fraser River between Lillooet and Lytton offers a dry climate and ecosystem that contrasts dramatically with the view in Whistler.
If basic infrastructure were in place, B.C.’s greatest river could offer a great many uniquely engaging experiences to global tourists who want nothing more than to see the preservation of natural values.
This kind of local “much more than trails” development, following a long-term incremental strategy, would not be much of a burden on the district budget, since its role would be more facilitator than financier.
As the article about the Lower Fraser development indicates, this would involve the province, all kinds of other levels of government, the private sector, and many other agencies.
But it needs one governing body with the cohesive vision to get the co-operative ball rolling and form a committee including the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, First Nations, the towns of Lillooet and Lytton, as well as Sea-to-Sky input with regards to their marketing expertise.
For those who may doubt the spectacular, goosebump-inducing variety of scenes along the Lillooet-Lytton Fraser trip, the cure for this doubt is to take the slow boat trip along the Fraser to Lytton and back.
For example, there's a gigantic Gibraltar-like square-ish rock plunked down right in the middle of the river halfway to Lytton. I wish some geologist would explain that to us!
