Here's a small sampling of assignments completed by The Economic Planning Group in recent years
Tourism Strategic Planning Projects: Destinations and Sectors
EPG has prepared many tourism strategies and plans for municipalities, destination regions and provinces. Some have focused on market development and others on tourism product development for the destination while some have been comprehensive tourism strategies covering all aspects of tourism.
As well, we have prepared strategic plans for sectors of the tourism industry have also been an area of focus, with work ranging from marine tourism to aviation tourism. Examples include:
- A Special People, A Special Place - The Future of Tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador,
Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador - Accommodation Needs Study for Mainland Nova Scotia,
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Marketing Strategy Review for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Tourism Strategy for Hants County Nova Scotia
- Giant Step II: a Tourism Strategy for Thunder Bay, 1999
- Emerging Markets for Tourism in Nova Scotia,
Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage - A Trails for Tourism Strategy for Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
- A Business Case Study for Trail Development and Use for the Algoma and Area Region of Ontario
- Marine Tourism Strategy for Nova Scotia
Wine and Culinary Tourism Projects
- Ontario Wine and Culinary Tourism Strategy,
Wine Council of Ontario and Ontario Ministry of Tourism - Nova Scotia Culinary Tourism and Agri-Tourism Sector Study,
Taste of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage - Development of a categorization model for restaurant members of Taste of Nova Scotia
- Compilation of information for an Online Media Kit on the Winery and Vineyard sector in Prince Edward County, Ontario
- Winery Association of Nova Scotia strategy and action plan presentation documentation.
Business Case Documentation for Tourism Projects and Programs
A particular area of EPG’s expertise is documenting the business case for investment in tourism projects or programs. This work is usually done on behalf of government agencies or clients who are seeking financial support from government and need to assess the benefits of their project. Projects include:
- Making the Case for Tourism - A Tool Kit,
Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Investment Development Office - A Business Case for Tourism in Nova Scotia
- A Business Case for Pier 21 Capital Development Program
Heritage Projects
EPG has assisted a number of heritage organizations develop strategies and business plans to grow their audiences and increase revenues.
- A Strategic Plan for Pier 21, Halifax, Pier 21
- A Strategic Plan for Historic Sherbrooke Village, Nova Scotia
- Concept Development and Feasibility Study for the Antique Boat Museum,
Gananoque Campus, Ontario - Operational reviews, expansion plans, market studies and business plans for:
- Kings Landing, New Brunswick
- Halifax Citadel Regimental Association, Halifax
- Grand Pré National Historic Site, Nova Scotia
- Casa Loma, Toronto
- Random Passage Film Site, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Concept and Feasibility Study for the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre being planned for central Nova Scotia (with Leslie H. Patten & Associates)
- Nova Scotia Heritage Interpretation Strategy (member of the consulting team)
Tourism Attraction and Festival/Event Projects
Attractions that influence visitation to a destination require special attention to their concept, matching of target markets with visitor experiences, market development and organizational structure. EPG has developed particular expertise with these types of projects.
- Feasibility Study and Business Plan for A Maritime Discovery Centre, City of Brockville, Ontario
This project recently received commitments of over $11 million in capital support from the federal and provincial governments. - Naval Heritage Centre Attraction, Queens Landing, Halifax
- Several projects for Le Pays de la Sagouine, New Brunswick designed to assist in enhancing the appeal of this cultural attraction.
- Ontario Place, Toronto
- Wildwater Kingdom Water Park, Toronto
- Toronto International Garden Rendezvous. EPG was retained late in 2009 to prepare a preliminary feasibility study and business case for this proposed international event for Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.
- A Guide to Planning and Hosting a Community Festival or Event, one of twelve tourism development guides prepared for the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
- Market and feasibility study for an Aerial Adventure Park in Nova Scotia
Travel Trade Related Projects
- TradeSmart – The Travel Trade Supplier Certification Program developed by EPG for the Department of Tourism and Parks, Province of New Brunswick.
- Building Travel Trade Business – Opportunities for Nova Scotia Tourism Operators. EPG prepared this manual on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. It is a ‘primer’ on developing travel trade business designed for small and medium sized businesses.
- Workshops on Working with the Travel Trade. EPG has delivered industry workshops on this topic in all four Atlantic Canada provinces.
- Market Conditions and Product Interests for Packaged Travel from the UK on behalf of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Thirty interviews with UK based tour operators in 2009 formed the bases for an assessment of market and product trends and opportunities from this market.
- The Role of Atlantic Canada Showcase (a travel trade marketplace) in connecting Tourism Businesses with Travel Trade Professionals, based on insights compiled from 40 interviews with travel trade buyers.
Professional Development Programs, Manuals and Toolkits
EPG has developed and delivered seminars and workshops on aspects of the tourism industry, particularly Working with the Travel Trade and packaging. Project experience includes:
- Establishing and Operating A...Business Development Guides for Different Types of Tourism Businesses, Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
- Making the Case for Tourism - A Tool Kit, Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Investment Development Office
- Content development for a Market Readiness Tool Kit for Tourism Businesses
Tourism Market Readiness and Quality Assurance Projects
Another area of expertise is in tourism market readiness and quality assurance projects:
- Best Practices for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Tourism Industry,
Canadian Tourism Commission - Best Management Practices for Tourism Businesses in Atlantic Canada – A Workbook
- Best Practices Tour for Adventure Travel Operators in Canada
- Canada Select Accommodation Rating Program – original consumer research, concept and business plan
Business Model Development for Tourism industry Organizations
In today’s challenging tourism marketplace, tourism industry organizations are being forced to rethink their approach to doing business, their priorities and their sources of funding. EPG has been working with a number of destination marketing organizations in developing new business models.
- A New Business Model for the 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence Seaway Tourism Marketing Partnership
- Strategic Opportunities for Direction Ontario. This Ontario francophone tourism organization retained EPG in winter 2010 to develop a strategic plan towards enhancing their role and sustainability in the province’s tourism marketplace.
- Rideau Heritage Route Tourism Association. EPG assisted this organization during winter 2010 with a product development workshop and a strategic planning session with its Board of Directors.
- A New Business Model for Tourism Industry Organization in Central, Eastern and Northern Nova Scotia
- Discovery Trail Tourism Association Funding Model, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Business Plan and Structure for the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership
- Studies for community DMOs in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario looking at opportunities for hotel levies/destination marketing fees
Resorts and other Accommodations
We have worked with a number of resorts and accommodations on concept development, feasibility analysis and business planning.
- Market analysis for several resorts in Cuba
- Market and feasibility analysis for a major resort and recreational real estate project at Mont Ste. Anne, Quebec
- Business plans for expansion and redevelopment of several resorts in Atlantic Canada
- Market and feasibility studies for resorts in the Niagara and Muskoka regions of Ontario
Cruise Ship Projects
- Market Development and Business Planning for sightseeing and overnight cruise ship operations in various Ontario and Atlantic Canada locations
- Developing Shore Excursions for Great Lakes Cruises, A Workbook,
Ontario Ministry of Tourism - S.S. Norisle – the Return of a Great Lakes Steamship: A Market and Feasibility Study, a concept plan and feasibility study was completed in 2010.
- R.M.S. Segwun – EPG was retained to assist with the start up and initial operations of this restored steamship on the Muskoka Lakes. Originally built in 1887, it has operated a regular schedule of passenger cruises since 1981. It is one of the region’s premier attractions.
Other Projects
- Economic Impact Analysis for Tourism Projects - Many of our market and feasibility analysis projects include economic impact analysis, not only of the projects themselves but also of the spin-off tourism spending benefits they will generate. We use economic impact models to assess projects and have also worked on teams developing these models.
- Casino win analysis for several projects in Ontario, and projects in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, the US mid-west and a central American country
For more information about these and other projects please contact us by email