GMIST: Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism » GMIST News

GMIST Grad Wins Sustainable Tourism Award

gmist — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:38:41 +0000

Sustainable Tourism 2010

A few months ago GMIST had the privilege to work with the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association on some initiatives around the UNESCO Biosphere in Southwest Nova Scotia. The Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO designated, internationally recognized and unique region of natural and cultural heritage. The reserve comprises lands in the counties of Annapolis, Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne and Queens.

What we were most impressed with was the model being utilized by Maegan Power-Noble, the executive director of SNBR and a past GMIST grad, around sustainable tourism development from a community level. Over the past 18 months SNBR has taken a lead role in helping define what the unique experiences and stories can be in Southwest Nova Scotia; and more specifically how operators and communities can work in harmony with one another in the branding and promotion of a UNESCO site. Through a strong community focus, SNBR has been able to engage operators and communities in discussions to help establish a common plan for tourism development in the Biosphere. More importantly they are helping people understand the need to do this development sustainably in order for their communities to flourish and meet their goals.

As a result of all that great work, the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve has been awarded the 2010 Sustainable Tourism Award from Destination Southwest Nova. This is truly an example of community development done right! Congrats to Maegan and the SNBR for all the great work you do and for winning the award!

http://www.snbra.ca/

Authenticity

gmist — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:34:23 +0000

Can you sell an authentic experience? Have a listen to Joseph Pine to see how the emerging experience economy is changing the landscape.

Customer Service

gmist — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:40:15 +0000

Just got back from the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick show in Edmundston, NB. This has been the last of the Industry shows I have been to in the past year in Atlantic Canada and I am continually impressed by the showcasing of our industry in Atlantic Canada. I met many fabulous people who are doing some real amazing things. Roger Brooks was one of the keynote speakers at the conference and he very eloquently talked about the need to find those pieces that set you apart from other destinations. What is your story – find it – be passion about it – live it and sell it. He also reintroduced me to some a training video we use to use in customer service training called Guest. It reinforced the importance of customer service in our industry. I posted a bit earlier about the power of a smile and it is true that a warm greeting and smile can make all the difference and bad customer service can destroy everything you have worked hard to build.

Are You Ready for the New Decade?

gmist — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:23:13 +0000

I came across an interesting blog on a website called Media that I thought I would share with all of you. It is quite insightful into what companies and organizations need to consider as they look forward into the new decade. Read More.

GMIST Survey on Tourism Training Needs

gmist — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:40:01 +0000

GMIST is in the process of surveying the training needs of Atlantic Canada tourism businesses. Below is a link to an online survey. Your participation in this survey will help us understand how businesses and organizations have utilized training from GMIST as well as new areas that GMIST may develop programs in.

To take the survey CLICK HERE

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

GMIST – Announces New Executive Director

gmist — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:28:56 +0000

The Board of Directors of the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Foster as Executive Director effective October 12, 2009. Jonathan will be succeeding Colleen Kennedy who has served in the position since 2007. The Board wishes to thank Colleen for all the hard work and dedication she has committed to growing and developing GMIST.

Jonathan brings more than 10 years experience in the tourism development and experiential education field having most recently worked for the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage as a product development officer. Jonathan is experienced in working with businesses and communities in Atlantic Canada to develop experiential tourism product with strong sustainable principles. He also has demonstrated abilities to effectively partner and develop strategic alliances across multiple sectors.

Jonathan has his Masters in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Brunswick, a National Certificate in Outdoor Leadership from the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University.

Jonathan will be responsible for the day to day operations of GMIST and tasked with expanding programming within Atlantic Canada in the areas of experiential and sustainable based tourism. Asked about the challenges ahead Jonathan, said, “There is a shift taking place in how visitors want to experience their destinations. People want to be connected, to understand and experience the local culture and traditions in low impact and sustainable ways. The challenge we have as operators and service providers is to create those engaging visitor experiences in an increasingly global marketplace”.

Stan Cook Jr., Chair of GMIST, acknowledges that the hiring of Jonathan marks a shift in GMIST’s positioning. He said, “This is the first time that the Executive Director will be working remotely from outside Newfoundland and Labrador; and specifically tasked with engaging communities to develop training around Atlantic Canada. We listened closely to what our partners where telling us about GMIST programming and have moved quickly in the hiring of Jonathan to create more on the ground training opportunities around Atlantic Canada”.

GMIST- New Executive Director - Jonathan Foster

Paul Gaudet Shares His Experience at the GMIST- Edge of the Wedge Course

gmist — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:51:40 +0000

Paul Gaudet – a recent graduate of the GMIST- Edge of the Wedge course wrote an article and shared his experience taking the GMIST program as well as exploring Gros Morne National Park. Paul is the manager of interpretive services at Hopewell Rocks Tidal Exploration Site in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick. Read his article here.

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/lifetimes/article/835963

GMIST- Edge of the Wedge

gmist — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:54:23 +0000

3 day – GMIST – Edge of the Wedge program
We invite you to pass this message along to those staff, association members and local businesses who you think might benefit from this training. Spaces available for October 2009 sessions!

To print this document hit the “More” button and scroll down to print.

Fall GMIST Courses

gmist — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:49:25 +0000

As fall is fast approaching…so is our upcoming GMIST – Edge of the Wedge course. This program is jam packed with leading edge tools to help you learn new ways to market and expand your tourism business with partnerships and niche market experiences.

The next GMIST Edge of the Wedge course will be offered in Rocky Harbour, NL :

October 14-16 2009
October 18-20 2009

If you are registering for this program please book your flight early enough to be in Rocky Harbour the evening before the start date to take part in orientation at 7pm.

We invite you to pass this message along to those who you think might benefit from this training. For more info please click to download the PDF Poster.

Edge of the Wedge - April 2009 - Group Activity

The spring edition of Edge of the Wedge was a success!

gmist — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:36:27 +0000

We had incredible weather for the spring edition of Edge of the Wedge! The participants had a great time learning about building partnerships and also the importance of creating experiential programs within their own communities. The facilitation team; Todd, Celes and Nancy continue to offer one of a kind programming at the Edge of the Wedge.

The facilitation team for the GMIST Edge of the Wedge program