Best Practices Library

There are many ways to provide tourists with unexpected experiences in Manitoba. From breathtaking natural landscapes to innovative products to encounters with the people and animals that reflect the heart and soul of our province, Manitoba operators set the bar high in delivering truly unforgettable experiences. Tourism businesses must overcome challenges before becoming flourishing operations that meet visitors' needs.

Travel Manitoba has selected a few examples of successful tourism operators to demonstrate how following through on a vision will lead to a more successful business, and ultimately, a more rewarding visitor experience.

The information in the Best Practice Library has been acknowledged by each business as an accurate representation of their operation as at the date of its publication.

Clear Lake Golf Course

Clear Lake Golf Course is an 18-hole public course located in one of Manitoba's top tourist attractions, Riding Mountain National Park. The course was built in two stages commencing in 1928. Since the current management team has been in place since 1993, the course has shifted from a conventional waste-stream generating course to a model of sustainability, innovation and recycling. Providing a top-quality golfing experience, Clear Lake Golf Course inherently promotes Riding Mountain National Park and the other tourist offerings and leisure opportunities in the area.

Falcon Trails Resort

Falcon Trails Resort is a family owned business that provides a high quality lakeside experience in conjunction with the Falcon Ridge Ski and Recreation Area. The land on which the resort is situated is under the jurisdiction of the Manitoba Provincial Parks Ministry.

Ownership and Management is focused on offering a diverse tourism experience while balancing environmental and community interests. Both construction techniques and ongoing operating methods ensure the highest possible standards in this regard.

Folklorama

Celebrating its 40th year in 2009, Folklorama is the largest and longest running multi-cultural festival in the world. The festival provides impetus for communities to stay together by giving purpose to connect. Communities look to Folklorama and its unique pavilion concept as a means to showcase aspects of their culture to tourists from all over the world. Through its unique revenue sharing model, Folklorama provides the revenues required to sustain community functions both during the festival and throughout the year.

Hostelling International Winnipeg

Hostelling International Winnipeg is the only hostel in Winnipeg that fills the youth market niche. The hostel facility was converted from 60-year-old dilapidated hotel into a quality, contemporary hostel that features a live music pub, a restaurant and bike rentals. A recently appointed management team has brought stability to the facility and a consistent, respectful tourism experience, increasing the overall sustainability of the project for the long-term.

Hudson Bay Quest

Hudson Bay Quest is an annual 400km dog sled race along the Hudson Bay linking Churchill, Manitoba with Arviat, Nunavut. The dog sled teams recreate the historic fur trade run between the two communities. The race honours the history of three Aboriginal groups, the Cree, the Inuit and the Dene, and their role in the fur trade that started in the area in the 1700's. This competitive event features both traditional Inuit mushers as well as modern-day equipped racers from across Canada and the U.S. The race is designed as a self-sufficient dog sledding adventure, where racers carry their own supplies, gear and dog food throughout the three or fours days it takes to complete the course.

Inn at the Forks

The Inn at the Forks is a distinct boutique hotel located in the heart of The Forks National Historic Site of Canada. The hotel offers many luxurious amenities such as a nationally recognized spa and a restaurant and a lounge that features local jazz musicians. The Inn at the Forks is the only hotel on the site, which is situated in downtown Winnipeg.

The Inn at the Forks recognizes the importance of this heritage site, which served as an Aboriginal gathering place some 6,000 years ago. The hotel facility was designed with consideration of the past, present and future by incorporating traditional and contemporary materials with an emphasis on modern design. Design materials were sourced locally.

Wat'Chee Lodge

Wat'Chee Lodge, established in 1994, is a full-service non-consumptive wilderness lodge located 40 miles south of Churchill, Manitoba owned and operated by Michael and Morris Spence. The lodge is a refurbished navy communications base adjacent to Wapusk National Park and the world's largest polar bear denning area. Open for only a short period every year, Wat'Chee Lodge offers a unique opportunity in North America to see, virtually guaranteed, polar bear cubs and their mothers in their natural habitat. With a rare operating permit from Parks Canada, Wat'Chee Lodge brings visitors as close as 100 metres to the bears, while they learn about various aspects of the bears' dens, habits and life cycle. Other wildlife viewing opportunities include ptarmigan, arctic foxes, caribou herds and wolves in addition to night time viewing of aurora borealis.