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Today we launch the third cohort of the Leadership in Innovation for the Future of Tourism (LIFT) course in collaboration with the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism and Food, Culture Place. The diversity of companies attracted to this program is inspiring as we reset the future for tourism.
When we designed this 3-phased, 9-month blended program with online and in-person learning, we added a peer-to-peer support element to each phase of the program. It is amazing how receiving real-time insights and reflections from other tourism businesses can help shape a business's experience design.
One of our many success stories is Benjamin Bridge, one of Nova Scotia's finest wineries, located in the Gaspereau Valley. Seeking ways to create year-round guest experiences and create a new winter offer, Brittany Parker (a LIFT participant) led the creative process and development for a new visitor experience "VINEYARD ADVENTURES | RIVERSIDE FIRE + WINE TASTING."
This one-of-a-kind winter experience creates new reasons to visit a vineyard, when the grapevines are dormant, while enjoying the winter with family and friends. Their website shares the experience highlights which includes:
Vineyard walk to private setting: Enjoy a short 500m walk through the vineyard to the riverside landing
Guided rare wine tasting with carved ice glass: Once cozied up around the fires alongside the rushing Gaspereau River, your host will begin your guided wine tasting of one rare wine from the BB cellar. As an optional activity you can carve your own wine glass out of an ice block!
Gain winemaking insights from our team: Learn about our distinct winemaking process and the story of Benjamin Bridge, while sipping a rare seasonal wine and enjoying a house-made snack
From there head straight back to the winery, or choose from intersecting walking trails to enjoy up to 2km of our picturesque vineyard
This unique winter experience combines the joys of sipping sparkling wine with the slower pace of life in the Gaspereau Valley.
Congratulations to the team at Benjamin Bridge and to all the "LIFTies" on Brittany's course who provided insight and feedback to the development process.