Experiential Tourism

Experiential tourism is a growing trend in the travel industry that goes beyond traditional sightseeing. Instead of merely visiting popular tourist attractions, this style of travel emphasizes immersing oneself in the local culture, lifestyle and environment of a destination. It’s about experiencing the place more deeply and authentically.

Why is Experiential Tourism Important?

Experiential tourism allows businesses to diversify their offer beyond traditional models, creating more engaging and immersive travel experiences. By providing visitors richer, more meaningful interactions, businesses can significantly enhance the visitor experience while positively impacting both your business and the local community. The benefits include increased visitor satisfaction, market competitiveness and revenue potential.

• Economic Impact: Experiential travellers often seek out local businesses, artisans and services, providing a direct source of income to the destination’s economy. They are more likely to stay longer and will spend money on authentic experiences, accommodations, dining and locally-made souvenirs.
• Cultural Preservation: By engaging with local communities and traditions, experiential travel can play a role in preserving Indigenous and other cultures. A travellers’ interest in authentic experiences can support initiatives to maintain and share cultural practices, crafts and traditions.
• Environmental Conservation: Experiential travellers often have a heightened awareness of environmental issues and seek out eco-friendly and sustainable tourism options. This can promote environmental conservation efforts in destinations, encouraging responsible practices such as wildlife protection, waste reduction and sustainable resource management.
• Community Development: By staying in locally-owned accommodations, dining at family-run restaurants and participating in community-based tourism initiatives, the dollars travellers spend directly and positively impact the community. Tax revenues collected from tourism can lead to improved infrastructure, education and healthcare facilities in the area.
• Expanding Shoulder and Winter Season Tourism: Experiential travellers are often more interested in authentic experiences than visiting during peak tourist seasons. By promoting off-season travel, you can distribute tourist traffic more evenly throughout the year, reducing overcrowding and easing the strain on popular destinations’ infrastructure and resources.
  

Experiential Tourism Best Practices

To make a tourism offering truly experiential, incorporate elements that will immerse visitors in the local culture, lifestyle and environment. Here are key components to take into consideration while developing your experience:

• Authentic Activities: Provide opportunities for visitors to engage with the authentic culture, traditions and way of life of the destination. Offer genuine interactions with residents, artisans, and experts who can share their knowledge and experiences firsthand. Visitors can participate in traditional festivals, agricultural activities, or conservation projects.
• Emotional Connection: Offer experiences that evoke feelings of awe, wonder, excitement and inspiration, leaving a lasting impression on visitors long after they've returned home.
  Interactive Learning: Foster a spirit of curiosity and discovery by engaging visitors intellectually through active participation and meaningful dialogue.
• Storytelling: Bring the experience to life and captivate visitors' imaginations by sharing compelling stories, anecdotes and local legends. Create a sense of connection and belonging.
• Sensory Experiences: Offer opportunities to savour local flavours, listen to traditional music, admire breathtaking scenery and interact with the natural environment – look for ways to engage the senses.
• Memorable Moments: Create unique, unexpected and transformative experiences that challenge perceptions, broaden horizons and inspire personal growth and reflection.
• Cultural Workshops: Offer cooking classes, workshops or lessons led by local artisans.
• Local Interactions: Arrange homestays or community visits where travellers can interact with local families and learn about daily life.
• Guided Experiences: Develop guided tours that focus on storytelling and personal insights from local guides, rather than just information about landmarks.
• Customized Packages: Tailor travel experiences to individual interests, whether it’s adventure, history, gastronomy or wellness.
  

Examples of Experiential Tourism

• Participating in a traditional Indigenous cultural workshop, such as learning to bead or make dreamcatchers with local artisans.
• A wildlife viewing excursion to see beluga whales or polar bears in their natural habitats.
• Sampling specialties like cultural cuisine at a locally owned restaurant or shore lunch with a fishing guide.
• Immersing yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of a farmers' market to purchase local goods or homemade foods.
• Visiting historic sites that provide a glimpse into local heritage or a hands-on interactive tour.
• Celebrating culture in unique neighbourhoods or by attending festivals.
• Canoeing, paddleboarding or kayaking with a guide in Manitoba’s unique, pristine wilderness.
  

Ready to Learn More?

The Manitoba Tourism Education Council partnered with Celes Devar of Earth Rhythms, a well-known Canadian Experiential Tourism expert to develop the Experiential Tourism 2-Day Series Training. Click here for more information.