Tourism Development
Ecotourism development in Canada - Photo by Linus Strandholm
An organic approach to implementing sustainable tourism development
Tourism can have a wide range of positive social, economic, environmental, and cultural benefits for many communities, regions, businesses, and organizations around the world, but where do you start? Is there an organic approach to implementing sustainable tourism development?
For many destinations around the world, tourism provides an opportunity to adapt to the changing ways of the world while maintaining a close connection, and in some cases reconnecting, with culture and traditions. To ensure long term sustainability and responsible management, tourism should strive towards strengthening cultural and social landscapes, protect the natural environment, and create new business opportunities. The tourism industry is positioned to support diversity in economic growth, however in order to achieve sustainable economic growth you need a strong foundation that involves support from the local community, entrepreneurs, educators, and the involvement of the younger generation. So, where do you start…
The Pando Terra™ model, developed by Canadian Ecotourism Services, uses 7 holistic elements to create an organic approach to implementing sustainable tourism development. Pando Terra™ – loosely translated from Latin - means ‘to spread earth’. It represents the roots of sustainable development by way of community initiatives and projects; encouraging community advancement; and allowing for true grassroots growth to take place. It is designed to offer a fluid, more organic, process for tourism development, where the success of one element will enable success in others. It is about empowering, encouraging, and supporting the community and its members first; positive economic develop will follow.
Pando Terra™ is a process that is in harmony with cultural traditions. Rather than focusing on tourism development as a catalyst for growth, tourism will develop naturally as a secondary outcome of a solid community platform. People will naturally want to know more about a community/destination and learn about the people and their environment. This will lead to an increased demand for entrepreneurial programming support, the need for controlled growth and well thought out marketing and tourism development strategies.
Pando Terra’s™ seven critical elements focus on one common goal which is sustainable community development. The seven elements are:
· Training and Human Resource Development
· Educational Links & Transfer of Knowledge Applications
· Linking Traditions with Technology
· Protection of Environment, Heritage & Culture
· Opportunities for Local Businesses
· Employment Opportunities
· Community Infrastructure
This model is well suited for an internal operating structure and management tool for communities/regions/businesses/organizations, their staff, and leadership. It creates accountability and encourages responsibility to move forward with economic development initiatives. As a cooperative management approach, Pando Terra™ has the ability to instill a shared sense of purpose when it comes to creating a tourism destination.
A Story to Share – Mistissini Tourism
Every so often you encounter tourism champions that really make a difference in their community. We’ve had the privilege to work with the great staff at Mistissini Tourism and are so pleased with the progress they have made throughout the years.
The Cree Nation of Mistissini is a progressive community in the Eeyou Istchee region in northern Quebec. We first connected with them back in 2005 for an Entrepreneur Coaching Program with Titus Shecapio and Andrew Coon. Through the year-long training program, we developed a great relationship with Titus and Andrew which led to developing a 5 Year Ecotourism Strategy and a Business Plan for a Cultural Camp Project. Since the developments of these programs, Mistissini Tourism is moving forward with the key initiatives in the Plan and continuing to expand and adapt their tourism programs to meet the current demands and always supporting their community and its members first.
Through ongoing coaching and empowerment, they were able to implement several initiatives with ease and professionalism, making them movers and shakers in regional and provincial tourism development and creating innovative economic opportunities in their community.
In 2016 they implemented their ‘My Mistissini’ 20 Year Tourism Strategy, a grassroots tourism development project that was shaped by listening to the local community members voices in order to shape their future tourism initiatives for the next 20 years. The Plan was built around the principles of the Pando Terra™ model and was a success and well received by the community. They are now moving forward with some of the key recommendations which include packaging ‘Mistissini Moments’ – tourism products and services that celebrate local entrepreneurship by empowering entrepreneurs to share their culture with visitors under an interactive digital platform. These ‘moments’ will be featured on Mistissini Tourism’s website and visitors will be able to explore the experience options that are available in the community as well as get a virtual introduction to their hosts in Mistissini before they arrive.
Mistissini continues to follow their path towards sustainable tourism development. They truly represents a destination full of hard-working passionate individuals that are looking for long-term sustainability in their community.
To learn more about our tourism development plans, give us a call!