How the Next Generation is Keeping an Ecotourism Legacy Alive in the Chilcotin

How can a tourism business remain resilient for the long haul? At Bella Coola Grizzly Tours, the answer lies in perseverance and adaptability.

Originally founded as a grizzly hunting operation, the business took a transformative turn when founder Leonard Ellis recognized shifting social values and a growing commitment to conservation. In response, he reimagined the company as a wildlife-viewing outfitter, demonstrating that tourism can thrive while supporting environmental stewardship and economic sustainability.

Today, his daughter Shannon Lansdowne continues his vision, ensuring that Bella Coola Grizzly Tours remains dedicated to conservation. “It’s the mountains. It’s the waterfalls. It’s the estuaries. It’s the ocean. It’s the lakes. It’s the big trees. It’s the vegetation,” she says. “Everything is bigger in Bella Coola.”

Her journey underscores a vital lesson for the tourism industry: businesses that evolve with changing traveller expectations and prioritize sustainability are best positioned for long-term success. Bella Coola Grizzly Tours stands as a testament to how tourism and conservation can flourish together, keeping the land, wildlife, and community at the heart of the experience.

“I’ve always been extremely conservation-minded because of Dad.” — Shannon Lansdowne