Experience Manitoulin

Experience Manitoulin is an innovative pilot project aimed at promoting the development of authentic and unique tourism experiences on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada. The project provides tourism training and personal coaching to tourism operators and promoters. Experience Manitoulin began in October 2008 with a three intensive days of tourism experiences, tourism theory and group work. 

Take a look at our video, which highlights the tourism training in October.

Training was very hands-on, with “get your hands dirty and feet wet” action that reflected the type of tourism experiences currently in demand. The 27 trainees enjoyed three very different tourism experiences. One group had to travel only a short distance to enjoy Aboriginal culture at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M’Chigeeng. This small group learned about the art of making ash baskets from Irene Makadebin, an Elder from Sagamok First Nation. Then they made their own – or at least got them started!  Another group headed in a completely different direction with rubber boots in hand. They drove to the Blue Jay Creek Fish Hatchery & Interpretive Centre for a brief presentation by Professor André Ferron of Collège Boréal. Then things got even livelier, as participants splashed around and counted dozens of little bugs, measurements that indicated the quality of the streams.  The third group drove to Max Burt’s Farm and trekked through his fields to learn about his closed-loop energy system and bio-diesel productions – a very scenic and informative tour that wrapped up with a lunch of Burt Farm’s own meats and produce.

Throughout the winter of 2008-09, trainees are developing their own tourism experiences and continuing to learn about online promotion of their tourism experiences and businesses. For more information on future training opportunities please visit this site for updates or contact Mary Nelder,  General Manager, at 705-282-3215 or mary@lambac.org.