*This post is in response to the article “BLLT head takes over Holiday on Horseback” by Cathy Ellis.
photo taken from... http://rtfitchauthor.com/2013/05/11/blm-offers-free-wild-horse-manure-to-public-really/
All information and quotations in this post are derived and/or taken from her article.
Ellis, Cathy. "BLLT head takes over Holiday on Horseback ." Rocky Mountain Outlook [Canmore] 06 02 2014, n. pag. Print. <http://www.rmoutlook.com/article/20140206/RMO0801/302069989/-1/RMO08/bllt-head-takes-over-holiday-on-horseback>.
Who is Julie Canning? And, who is Ron Warner? And, who’s going to clean up the manure?
Reported only a day or so ago by the “Rocky Mountain Outlook” (Feb 6, 2014), Ron Warner the owner of “Holiday on Horseback”, a large equestrian outfitting and guiding operation of more than fifty years, has sold his business to Julie Canning and Jon Welsh owner of “Discovery Banff Tours”.
The selling or Ron Warner’s “Holiday on Horseback” to me, at least, is not necessarily such an important occurrence. After all, companies are bought and sold all the time, and, I personally, wouldn’t want to be stuck with the responsibility of taking care of, and providing for, 300 or so large, eating, urinating, and defecating horses. Perhaps that may be a reason why Ron Warner sold.
What is interesting, however, is who he sold to – Julie Canning.
Apparently, Julie Canning holds quite the reputation in Alberta’s Banff community. First arriving to Banff in 2000 she is (until April 9th) CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism (B.L.L.T.). Her first position in Banff was as Executive Director of “the Association of Mountain Parks protection and Enjoyment” (A.M.P.P.E.), and in 2003 she stepped into the position of CEO of B.L.L.T.. Since that time she has filled several other roles such as…
- Chair of the “Destination Marketing Association of Canada”
- Vise-chair of the “Tourism Industry Association of Canada”
- Vise-chair of “Emerging Markets Committee for the Canadian Tourism Commission”.
And, in her time in all these roles she’s weathered many negative tourism developments, such as…
- The aftermath of the U.S. 9/11 attacks.
- A large, and global, economic recession.
- The threats of both S.A.R.S., and the H1N1 flu virus.
- As well as, local flooding and forest fires.
Amongst other accomplishments, during her time as CEO of B.L.L.T. she was instrumental in the passing of the “Tourism Improvement Fee”. A lodging tax of 2% intended to assist in Banff’s tourism marketing efforts. The article tells little about Canning’s business partner John Welsh or Ron Warner as particular people.
What Julie Canning and Jon Welsh are venturing into.
I already stated that I personally wouldn’t want to take on Ron Warner’s operation. I like horses, but not that much. However the article states Canning’s attitude, “this new venture would allow her to fuse her passion for both horses and tourism”
“Holiday on Horseback” is an expansive operation in Banff.
It offers:
- Front country trail rides
- Sleigh and carriage rides
- Multi-day back country horse trips
- 3 rustic wilderness tent camps (Mystic, Flints park, and Stoney Creek)
- (Due to flooding, this year, the camps will not be available for operation. One of the new objectives is to work with Parks Canada to repair the trails and replace the bridges leading to the parks.)
And has
- (Due to flooding, this year, the camps will not be available for operation. One of the new objectives is to work with Parks Canada to repair the trails and replace the bridges leading to the parks.)
- 300 horses
- And a retail store “The Martin Stables” on Banff Avenue.
A very large venture to take on, even if one has significant leadership experience.
Environmental and Economic impact?
In the changing over of ownership many outcomes can, may,and do occur. Often times new owners have intrusive ideas to establish which have negative effects. In the organization the new boss may…
- Force people to take demotions
- Put people on “special assignments” which they won’t really come back from
- Fire people
- Or, cause people to take early retirement
And, as Banff is such a beautiful natural setting, what are the impacts of this new ownership going to be on environmental stability? After all, horses and especially tourists who ride them can cause seriouse damage on the local environment.
According to the article, the possible negative threat to the both “Holiday on Horseback” and Banff’s natural environment setting will probably be minimal, Julie Canning does state in the article,
“We really want to embrace the ‘Canadiana’ and national park authentic and genuine experience. It’s one of the few experiences that allows people to get into the back country in a way that is historic.”
And…
“Ron has done an amazing job and we want to continue with the legacy of Holiday on Horseback. Ron will be around to be a mentor and guardian and we want to do something he will look over his shoulder and be proud of when he sees where his company is going.”
Want to learn more about “Holiday of Horseback” go to:
http://www.horseback.com/