Eastern HRM Rural Tourism Workshop
February 18 & 19, 2026
It is always inspiring to see an engaged community, culturally diverse in representation, with multiple community partners (municipal, business, non-profits), beginning a journey to create a destination-based approach to how tourism could be beneficial to their region. In this case, it is the Eastern HRM region of the larger Halifax RM. This is a very large HRM, with both the dense urban core of Halifax, and rural regions - one to the south towards and including Peggy's Cove. And, one to the east including one of the most picturesque coastlines with multiple unique communities, entrepreneurs, and a wild islands coastline.
In contributing to this two-day workshop, I was invited to share perspectives about the architecture of a regenerative visitor experience, and share perspectives about regenerative tourism. Within this context, I also added an important component about how regional communities can activate on experience development as long term strategy, and focus their efforts from the beginning on leveraging local capital and finance to help develop new visitor experiences, invest in storytelling, and get accelerated lift to position the region's story through unique experiences. Collaborating with non-traditional community hosts, ensuring that local values drive business development, and integrating regenerative practices are key to making tourism a force for good.
Participants were engaged. A local caterer provided a healthy lunch with local ingredients. The conversations were heartfelt, and many new connections took place.
When I can be at the beginning of these kinds of community initiatives, I am grateful. Thank you to the many regional and municipal partners who are supporting this initiative.
