It has been “about some 10 years” since Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sports (TACS), Spencer Chandra Herbert’s first visit to Barkerville, but the Minister says it won’t be that long until his next one.
Minister Chandra Herbert embarked on a three-day work trip to the Cariboo this week. On his trip, the Minister visited Barkerville, Quesnel, and Prince George for the opening of the Special Olympics tonight [July 10]. The Minister’s visit was to see what local spots could, or in his words, “should be visited” by British Columbians and Canadians.
“I just love the Cariboo, it’s been such a fabulous trip,” Chandra Herbert said.
“The locations, the places are outstanding, the history to discover here, there are so many good reasons to be in the Cariboo. To visit Quesnel, to visit Barkerville, to just get out and experience the outdoors here. It’s an exceptional place.”
The Minister of TACS made stops at the Cottonwood House, a place he had never been before, on his way to Barkerville. At the Historic Town, Chandra Herbert got to see the Cornish Waterwheel, partake in the classic baking treats and delicacies. He also got to see some of the new events and programming that were not there on his first visit a decade ago.
“I really got to see and feel the sense of Indigenous history in the area as well. It wasn’t there when I was last up,” he says.
“It’s really important as Indigenous history stretches back thousands of years, and it really tells a fuller history and story of the region. Obviously with the Chinatown and the settler miner’s history too. I thank the foresight of the people who went ‘we got to hang onto this site.’”
During his time walking about Quesnel, Chandra Herbert said he took time to visit the Visitor’s Centre, the museum, and explore the unique shops and boutiques Quesnel offers. The local artwork and murals painted on buildings, which were new to him since his last visit, stood out and brought charm to the community that adds to the uniqueness of the Cariboo. To the minister, the “walkability” of Quesnel’s downtown and what it has to offer, needs to be explored more, and feel the “living history” of the town and the community.
“It’s an exceptional small downtown, and the trick is that you get people who stop off at the visitor’s centre, how do you get them to stick around a little longer. We got to get them out of their cars. Take in the walking bridge, the riverfront. If anyone walks around the downtown they’ll find funky shops, great small business, very friendly people, and great coffee.”
Part of Chandra Herbert’s visit was to also see ways the region can be better promoted for tourists to visit. He made stops at the Quesnel RV Park, and other projects the province has helped fund for the city. He mentioned that making sure there are enough spaces and easily accessible parking so tourists can stop and visit will be key to growing the industry in Quesnel. He also said with less people travelling to the United States during the economic turmoil, he wanted to see how and where he could promote British Columbians to “go out and visit our backyards” more.
“The other side of funding projects and growth, is reminding British Columbians, and Canadians to journey in the province. We don’t need to go across the country, or into another country, we just need to travel through B.C.,” Chandra Herbert said.
“So, if we put some money into actually direct marketing into BC to remind British Columbians to tour our own backyard, I think that’ll have huge benefit for places like Quesnel. People may have traveled through briefly in the past, but they might be reminded, you know, maybe I should come back. We know and have seen, that people who come to B.C once tend to come back three or more times.”
The last stop on Minster Chandra Herbert’s visit is the to opening ceremony of the Special Olympics tonight.
“I’m just so excited because of the pride that we’re going to have in our athletes,” Chandra Herbert says. “I was talking to a local resident here about one of the local athletes who’s gonna be at the Special Olympics and it’s inspiring. When you see people give it their all to be the best in their field, and overcoming difficulties to get there, that’s what it’s all about. Seeing these athletes do their best, inspire us to do our best. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Chandra Herbert plans to return to Cariboo, perhaps in time to take in the 2026 Billy Barker Days in Quesnel.
– Files from Teryn Midzain, My Cariboo Now staff
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