In this episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Chris Hughes, a TEN training specialist and master experience crafter with B.C. Hughes. They talk about what experiential travel is, the necessity of investing in product and experience development, and Chris's five-step process for creating unforgettable tourism experiences. They also explore recent travel trends, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector, including workforce development and pricing strategies.

• 01:25 Chris Hughes' Journey in Tourism
• 05:36 Defining Product and Experiential Travel
• 10:51 Trends in Experiential Travel Post-COVID
• 14:25 How Communities Can Support Experiential Tourism
• 17:05 Five Steps to Building a Successful Travel Experience
• 20:55 Pricing and Costing For Experiences
• 24:46 Importance of Storytelling
• 27:11 Chris’ Most Memorable Travel Experience
• 29:03 Common Challenges in Developing Experiences
• 32:24 Upcoming Best Practice Mission to Collingwood
• 39:58 Workforce Development Challenges and Strategies
• 42:04 Next Episode Preview

Join Us on the Best Practices Mission to Collingwood

• Best Practices Mission webpage - https://tourismexcellencenorth.ca/best-practices-mission-building-quality-destination-strategic-renovations-enhance-your

About Chris Hughes and BC Hughes

• BC Hughes website - bchughes.ca
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/bc-hughes
• Instagram - instagram.com/bchughestourism
• Facebook - facebook.com/bchughesconsulting

About the Podcast

Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores.

For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario:

• Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca
• Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario
• Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario

If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.

 Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

In the premiere episode of Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism, host Karen Peacock sits down with Destination Northern Ontario (DNO)’s Executive Director, David MacLachlan, for a wide-ranging chat about the history of DNO and Tourism Excellence North (TEN), how DNO supports Northern Ontario’s tourism sector, and the future of the sector as the region recovers from COVID and navigates the current U.S. trade war. They also discuss workforce development, programs to help businesses grow (including an upcoming Best Practices Mission to Collingwood), and what it’ll take to get Northern Ontario tourism to the next level.

• 00:50 About Tourism Excellence North and Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism
• 02:48 David's Background in Tourism
• 04:25 The Origins and Role of Destination Northern Ontario
• 10:31 The Origins and Role of Tourism Excellence North
• 16:19 Economic Impact of Tourism in Northern Ontario
• 18:12 Impacts and Opportunities From COVID and the U.S. Trade War
• 23:49 Opportunities in Francophone and Indigenous Tourism
• 26:45 How to Get Involved and Grow Your Business
• 28:52 Upcoming Best Practices Mission to Collingwood
• 32:58 Workforce Development and Succession Planning
• 36:37 Future of Northern Ontario Tourism
• 38:28 Importance of Partnerships and Collaboration
• 41:14 Closing Thoughts and Memorable Experiences
• 44:26 Next Episode Preview

Join Us on the Best Practices Mission to Collingwood

• Best Practices Mission webpage - tourismexcellencenorth.ca/best-practices-mission-building-quality-destination-strategic-renovations-enhance-your

About the Podcast

Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores.

For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario:

• Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca
• Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario
• Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario

If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.

 Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.

Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is a podcast for tourism operators and industry stakeholders featuring experts who understand what it means to run a tourism business or organization here in Northern Ontario. Through casual conversations, you’ll learn about cutting edge topics like AI marketing, Cruise Ship Tourism, and trends that are shaking up the industry. Plus, you can tune in  while driving or doing chores.

For even more  insights that’ll help you grow your business, organization, or community, connect with Tourism Excellence North, which is part of Destination Northern Ontario:

• Website - tourismexcellencenorth.ca
• Facebook - facebook.com/DestinationNorthernOntario
• Instagram - instagram.com/destinationnorthernontario
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/destinationnorthernontario

If you like podcasts, DNO has another one called Destination: Northern Ontario. Season 1 is for people thinking about buying a tourism business, and Season 2 has helpful advice for new tourism operators.

 Let's Talk Northern Ontario Tourism is an initiative of Tourism Excellence North and is recorded on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and the Mushkegowuk. It is hosted by Karen Peacock and produced by Storied Places Media with support from Erica Richard, Naza Obasi, and Gillian McCullough.