TOUR 3000 - international AND Canadian tourism

In October 2019, I took the students of the above degree course on a field trip.  I repeat myself when I say that there is nothing like taking students out of the classroom to connect the dots. 

This course, which focuses on Destination marketing strategies, was ideally supported by a visit to Johnston's Cranberry Marsh & Muskoka Lakes Winery.  It is a unique Ontario tourism attraction designated as a "Signature Experience" by Destination Canada, our official national tourism marketing body. 

Once known as such, it gives individual tourism services providers an exponential increase in international exposure through Destination Canada's marketing campaigns. 

They were able to go on a tractor wagon for a bog tour, learning all about Cranberry Farming, followed by a quick talk by one of the employees to explain the tourism operations and the significance of said Signature Experience designation.  The students then tasted some of the Cranberry wines (ice wine too!), and went for a walk around the property, only to discover the Cranberry plunge!  There is nothing like donning a rubber (fishing) overall and boots to wade through the harvest. Cranberries are harvested by flooding the bogs which makes the fruit rise to the top, so harvesters just have to scoop it up.  The students all agreed that this is very worthwhile going to.  And the weather could not have cooperated any better!  The entertainment on the way back (it's a 2-hour drive after all) was that they had time to write and submit their reflection journals! The teacher in me had to remind them that it was not just fun! ;)