Developing year round sustainable tourism initatives in the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve is the focus of a two day workshop being held at the White Point Beach Resort on March 30 and 31.
The workshop, Developing Sustainable Tourism Experiences in the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere, is being hosted by the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve Association (SNBRA) in partnership with the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism (GMIST) and White Point Beach Resort.
The workshop is targeted towards existing businesses, organizations or departments interested in exploring partnerships and opportunities to provide, sell and market unique, value-added and authentic UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Experiences, says Maegan Power Noble, project coordinator for the biosphere association.
"The potential is phenomenal," she said. "We have an internationally recognized UNESCO designation that showcases our best attributes - our natural assets. We have an extensive inventory of existing nature reserves and parks, museums and historic sites, beaches, campgrounds, accommodations, cuisine, festivals, crafters and artisans, guides, and more that bring the biosphere to life."
Designated in 2001 as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 'in recognition of its globally significant ecological and cultural landscape,' the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve encompass Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby and Annapolis counties, and is only one of 15 in Canada and 500 around the world that have earned the distinguished designation of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Power Noble said the workshop is designed to "assist in the development and collaboration of multi-sector tourism products and partnerships," which is part of the association’s mandate.
Municipalities throughout the biosphere reserve along with tourism groups and development agencies will also be involved in the workshop, said Power Noble, which is a first step to developing and promoting sustainable year-round tourism packages and itineraries that deliver authentic, hands-on, engaging experiences for visitors to truly connect with and explore the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.
Seating is limited for the workshop. Organizers are hoping for representation from all aspects and counties of the biosphere. Further information is available by contacting maegan.power-noble@nscc.ca .
