Experiential Tourism Development Training Initiative

The Cutting Edge Alert - March 2012 - Click Here

In a globally competitive environment like tourism, how do you find your advantage?

Travel Manitoba believes part of the answer may be found in experiential travel product development. “Experiential travel engages visitors in a series of memorable travel activities, revealed over time, that are inherently personal, utilize the senses, and make connections on a physical, emotional, spiritual, social, or intellectual level”. (Dr. Nancy Arsenault)

Experiential travel products can provide an add-on opportunity to something you already provide or another opportunity that attracts a different market without a major investment on infrastructure.

In April 2011 Travel Manitoba began a process of shifting its tourism development activities to support this kind of product and market development. Travel Manitoba is now pleased to announce that it is offering a specialized multi-day product development training program called The Cutting Edge. This program is modelled after a similar program that was pioneered in Atlantic Canada through the Gros Morne Institute for sustainable Tourism (GMIST). Accordingly, The Cutting Edge program is a collaborative effort with GMIST and their instructors from The Tourism Cafe (Dr. Nancy Arsenault) and Earth Rhythms (Celes Davar). The first intake of the program was delivered in October 2011 in the Riding Mountain National Park area and was made possible by the support of Parks Canada. The second intake will take place in March 2012 in the Winnipeg area.

This program combines “classroom” instruction and “learning by doing” to provide a unique and effective education experience. Participants leave the program with a solid understanding of what is required to create great experiences and gives them practical tools to help them do exactly that.

On-going coaching on experience development by key Travel Manitoba staff will also be a feature of this initiative. Participants in the program who create new experiences will be eligible for select marketing support through Travel Manitoba at no cost for a defined period of time.

Join us on the Cutting Edge!