Current Newsletter
The Fall 2009 Best Practices Missions were a success! A total of 39 participants (7 government representatives, 32 industry representatives) took part in three missions, with 100% indicating that the mission either met or exceeded their expectations. Plans are now being finalized for 3 upcoming Tourism Best Practices Missions that will take place in the winter/spring of 2010. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency offers a 50% subsidy to tourism operators that are eligible to participate on the missions. For additional information on eligibility criteria, as well as details on past and future missions, please visit the website at www.tourismbestpractices.com.
The following tourism themes were identified as priorities and as areas of interest for the Atlantic Canadian Tourism industry. More information will be provided as the itinerary planning progresses.
In this issue:
Product Development
Experiential Tourism
Rural Heritage: Craft, People and Place
The Product Development Mission will focus on community and product development from a tourism perspective. The mission will explore the challenges for industry to offer products and services that increase the overall profitability of the community and further develop the attractiveness and competitiveness of the destination. The Product Development Mission will provide information on initiatives that showcase the product development process, proactive development approaches and opportunities, new forms of tourism, product development obstacles, broadening market base, repositioning, and strategic partnerships.
The Heritage Corridor is renowned for its many inspirational small town revitalization stories and their consistency at developing new
The Heritage Corridor could easily compare to the opportunities that exist in Atlantic Canada in terms of both scope and the blend of urban and rural connectivity. Each of these towns/regions was able to successfully capitalize on a unique trait that was inherited to them and use it as their differentiated offering.
· Explore how the destinations from our region can take a realistic look at what worked and what did not in other destinations, enabling them to learn what strategies they can realistically and successfully implement
· Learn what the critical success factors are in developing and positioning new tourism products and a diversified product base
· Learn how to determine growth potential and opportunities
· Examine how to proactively and effectively identify, chart, and advance the development of tourism projects with high potential in order to stimulate economic development
Elizabeth Harm, Assistant Director for South Carolina’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) will be helping to facilitate this mission. Elizabeth’s knowledge and passion for the Heritage Corridor will be an excellent asset for our mission
The Experiential Tourism Mission will concentrate on the development of interactive tourism experiences and packaging. It will look at how to collaborate with local resorts, facilities, and service providers to offer diverse experiences, which provide authenticity, inspiration, and replenishment of the spirit through programs, guides, and facilitators.
- Learn how to use experiential tourism to differentiate tourism product in a competitive market
- Learn new methods to make personal connections with each visitor, to create experiences that are inherently personal, engage their senses and make connections on an emotional, physical, spiritual or intellectual level
- Examine how to recognize opportunities to partner within regional communities to find ways to create experiences that feature innovative, multiple partners
- Learn what to expect from clients, how to be responsive and provide unique insight to them
In addition to exploring Quebec City, the mission will also visit Charlevoix and Wendake. Charlevoix’s main industry is tourism and the region’s natural beauty, artistic and cultural dynamism, art centers, historic sites, craft boutiques, agri-tourism, econo-museums, local foods, and quaint B&B’s all contribute to the unique experiences offered to visitors. Wendake is an interesting experiential destination and offers themed accommodations, cultural presentations and cultural immersion opportunities.
Kim Whytock, an expert in the experiential tourism field and Pierre Labrie, retired CEO of Quebec City Tourism will be assisting in the facilitation of this mission. Kim is in tune with Atlantic Canadian communities and his expertise will enable us to realize what is applicable and necessary to extract for Atlantic Canadian Tourism participants. Pierre Labrie, former head of Quebec City tourism, whose knowledge of Quebec, paired with his successful tourism career will be an outstanding addition to Kim’s experiential forte.
This mission will focus on the “connection of craft, people, and place” and is centered on learning from the nationally recognized “HandMade in America” model in western North Carolina. The belief is that economic revitalization isn’t necessarily tied to luring “modern” industry but in making the hidden heritage and craftspeople known. The Homegrown Handmade model will demonstrate the power of building partnerships that together, help promote a specific destination. Also, this model will showcase how small businesses in rural settings can create innovate experiential tourism through local product. These models are excellent examples of how small communities brought people in off a main tourism venue (the Apellation trail) and converted tourism to be their major industry.
HandMade has evolved into a nationally recognized institution that has sparked initiatives and creative collaborations in education, small town revitalization, community development, economic development, environmental sustainability and enhanced opportunities for makers of handmade objects.
· Learn how to develop trails, tours and adventures through initiatives that focus on bonding visitors with craft, people, and place
· Discover what small businesses in rural settings can do to innovative experiential tourism through their local product
· Example initiatives: Craft Heritage Trails, Farm Trails, Gardens and Countryside Trails, and Agri-tourism/ Rural Tourism
This mission will be facilitated by Becky Anderson who is the founder and former Executive Director of Handmade in America. Becky also serves as a consultant for cultural and economic development programs and was named one of “America’s Top Twenty Visionaries” (U.S. News and World Report).
