sustainable tourism – Ocean Delight Cottages

April 9, 2014April 8, 2014

Dana On the Edge

You may have heard me mention Dana from time. She’s our new Events Manager at The Doctor’s House, she’s doing a fabulous job, and she’s worth her weight in gold – we’re really happy to have her on board. We were also happy to send her to the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism‘s Edge of the Wedge Course last weekend. Here’s Dana and some new friends learning to snowshoe in Gros Morne.

If you have a REALLY good memory, you’ll remember that I took this fantastic course two years ago, when we had just begun our Ocean Delight journey. I learned tons – and that’s why we knew it would be a great experience for Dana. The course centers on how tourism operators can use their local community to create an experience that is rewarding and enriching for both tourists and locals alike. This has been a key guiding principal for how we think we about what we do out here in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, and we highly recommend it for all our colleagues.

October 22, 2013October 21, 2013

Tuesdays with Murphy: This is the ‘Off’ Season???

Boy, am I glad I’m not Jerry or The Berry – those two work like dogs, I tell you! Thankfully, my fellow four-leggeds and I (including my new little brother, Friday, who is doing great, by the way!), get some rest here and there. But Jerry and The Berry spent all weekend at a wedding show in St. John’s (they’ve hired some consultants, are renovating our big barn and will have The Doctor’s House ready for parties of up to 200 by this summer).

I thought after all that work, they’d need a minute to rest. Not so! Now Jerry’s off to Clarenville for a conference for the Eastern Destination Management Organization. I don’t know much about EDMO, except from what I overhear. And that’s that they’ve been instrumental to our success at Ocean Delight, so for that I guess I’m grateful! I think Jerry will be talking more about their great new website, The Legendary Coast, soon!

May 21, 2013May 22, 2013

Tuesdays with Murphy: Pony Up!

Now that Jerry and The Berry are getting The Doctor’s House up and operational (for our June 1st open), I have a fun task – getting to know all the Newfoundland ponies (there’s three of ’em) that make the Inn and Spa home. Normally I have no problem with my fellow four-leggeds, but Newfoundland ponies are proud and different, and there was definitely an intense initiation period. I think I’m starting to win them over. Good thing, too – Bridie just joined the family, and Clifford George thinks she’s pregnant. I’m going to have to work hard to become the leader of this big pack!

March 29, 2012December 4, 2012

Edgie

I am now an official ‘Edgie’ – meaning I have completed the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism‘s Edge of the Wedge Course. This was truly the best and most enlightening course I’ve ever taken – it was all about how to enhance the experience of our guests and our community in the process. We’re new to the tourism industry; I came to this with an empty tool box and am leaving with a full one.

We wrapped up last night with a performance by Anchors Aweigh (quite literally one of the best Newfoundland bands I’ve ever heard), and a kitchen party that lasted til 4Am – how ‘Newfoundland’ is that? (Although in full disclosure, I only last til 2:30, since I have a long drive ahead of me today, back to the east coast – can’t wait to put what I’ve learned into practice).

And by the way, here’s my new band, The Tuckamore or Less, on our first performance! Big thanks to GMIST for such an awesome couple of days!

March 27, 2012December 4, 2012

An Epiphany a Day

I’m on the west coast for the next few days attending a course given by the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism. Today was the first full day of activities and already I’ve been blow away – so many epiphanies in so little time! I’m learning how to give guests an experience, not just a room. It is not just about taking business and commodification but about creating value and helping our guests to feel part of something – ‘Ah Ha’ moments all around.

Being an entrepreneur by nature, my mind was opened today to the many, many ways we can incorporate the wonder of the people we have met and the places we have been on the Baccalieu Trail to give our guests special memories they can carry with them always and share with their friends – and we’ll find ourselves and our community enriched in the process. A win-win if ever there was one!

I can’t wait for the next two days and what they will deliver. Then it is back to WWW (the Wonderful World of Whiteway) to put together a plan of implementation.

Bringing out our inner children, playing with sea creatures at the marine centre. This is a sea mouse.

Shed party (a Newfoundland tradition) with Daniel Payne, a real treat. This guy is an awesome entertainer – please check him out!

Locals cook us moose stew and seafood chowder ….. and a most wonderful dinner with the chef incorporating us into the meal!

And all the while surrounded by such lovely vistas. What a spot!