We’re taking you on a road trip through the future of tourism in Atlantic Canada. You’ll hear firsthand from tourism leaders on how the region captivates new generations of travelers while staying true to its maritime roots. We also spotlight the rise of Indigenous-led travel experiences and the wave of creativity from local artisans. From group travel trends to the power of regional collaboration, each story underscores how Atlantic Canada’s tourism pros aren’t just adapting—they’re shaping what meaningful travel looks like for the years ahead.
In this episode, you’ll hear from these knowledgeable tourism leaders:
- Molly Vail: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-vail/
- Nancy Petrie: https://www.oakislandresort.ca/
- Natalie Kaftan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliekaftan/
- Katherine Verreault: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-verreault
- Kelley Keefe: linkedin.com/in/kelley-keefe-07841a1a6
- Robert Thomas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-thomas-225165161/
- Desirea Goodyear: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desirea-goodyear-77294a26b/
- Tasha Robitaille: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasha-robitaille-0a790029/
- Wahab Khan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wahab-khan-b809862ab/
- Jacob Sheehan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-sheehan-71ba578b/
- Jen Silliphant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-silliphant/
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How Atlantic Canadian tourism leaders are embracing innovation and sustainable growth to shape the future of travel in the region
- Why collaboration and partnership is essential for delivering impactful guest experiences
- What trends are emerging in traveler interests, including immersive cultural experiences, wellness tourism, and eco-friendly adventures
- How the region is adapting to the rising interest from younger travelers, families, and international visitors
- Why authenticity, local culture, and culinary experiences are setting Atlantic Canada apart as a travel destination
- How Indigenous tourism and wellness-focused offerings are growing and diversifying the visitor experience
- What successful creative collaborations look like in practice
Innovation Rooted in Community Collaboration
Community lies at the heart of Atlantic Canada’s tourism ethos. This spirit of partnership, as showcased at the Atlantic Canada Showcase event, has made the region a model for collaborative success. Provinces, cities, and businesses work hand-in-hand to offer amazing visitor experiences and nurture economic growth.
Four provinces unite to market the region, develop meaningful partnerships, and promote the Maritimes. These collaborations aren’t just behind the scenes—they tangibly widen access for visitors and amplify the region’s reach in international markets.
Authenticity is the Maritime Edge
If there’s one word repeated by tourism leaders throughout the episode, it’s “authenticity.” Atlantic Canada isn’t about cookie-cutter vacations; it’s about experiences crafted by the local communities. Molly Vail from Discover Halifax highlights how the city blends youthful energy with maritime charm, offering guests handcrafted itineraries that range from vineyards to vibrant nightlife.
Natalie Kaftan of Tauck emphasizes the enduring appeal of the Maritimes’ local character and color. Visitors are drawn to real people, unique food, and meaningful cultural exchanges, not just passive sightseeing. As travel trends shift worldwide, immersive itineraries and authentic local engagement are increasingly in demand. Whether it’s an Acadian caviar tasting in New Brunswick or a craft-making workshop in Mahone Bay, guests are eager for stories and experiences that go beyond the surface.
Growing Demand for Indigenous and Wellness Experiences
Indigenous-led tourism is gaining extraordinary momentum in Atlantic Canada. Robert Thomas from the Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association shares how guests now seek engagement with indigenous cultures—culinary experiences, guided hikes with elders, and artistic workshops are just the beginning. Tasha Robitaille’s La Belle Cabane healing sanctuary offers a blend of wellness and indigenous knowledge, where visitors can participate in breathwork sessions, explore Métis traditions, and join healing retreats that are as restorative as they are educational.
This surge in interest reflects a broader travel trend: visitors crave deeper connection, healing, and learning as much as recreation. Ultimately, Atlantic Canada Showcase itself, described as “intimate,” “impactful,” and “powerful” by my guests, epitomizes the region’s strengths. Small size becomes an advantage, enabling tight-knit partnerships, genuine hospitality, and real dialogue among industry leaders. Whether partnering across cities or developing cross-province itineraries, success is shared and multiplied.
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This week on Destination on the Left, we bring you the first special roadshow installment from the Atlantic Canada Showcase 2025 in beautiful Saint John, New Brunswick. In this episode, we dive into the deep-rooted community spirit and storytelling tradition that make Atlantic Canada such a fantastic destination.
You’ll hear firsthand from passionate tourism professionals across the region, who will share powerful insights on how authenticity, connection, and collaboration are shaping travel experiences in Atlantic Canada—offering everything from local cuisine and hands-on adventures to heritage attractions and indigenous-led hospitality.
Get ready to discover why Atlantic Canada continues to redefine what it means to experience genuine hospitality.
In this episode, you’ll hear from these extraordinary leaders:
- Aubrey Reine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrey-reine-30913062/
- Annick Robichaud-Butland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annick-robichaud-butland-bb436b68/
- Christy Elliott: https://balsamridgeforestdomes.ca/
- Melissa Lansing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-lansing/
- Chelsey Gould: linkedin.com/in/chelsey-gould
- Olivia Morley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-morley-0a2627171/
- Judith LaBrie: ca.linkedin.com/in/judith-labrie-49a46315
- Lois Whitlock: https://wolastoqcasino.com/
- Rebecca Whiffen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-whiffen-a89934320/
- Xavier Gauvin: https://tourismepeninsuleacadienne.ca/en/
- Jordan Jamison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-jamison-nb/
- Marcy Barnes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcy-barnes-8b98092b/
Authenticity is the Bedrock of Atlantic Canada’s Appeal
More and more, travelers crave experiences that feel genuine; not manufactured or packaged, but rooted in the real culture and history of a place. As our guests point out, Atlantic Canada captures the essence of what travelers are seeking in 2025, authenticity, connection, and a sense of place. Whether it’s coastal escapes, heritage attractions, or culinary adventures, guests find themselves meeting people with deep roots and big hearts, engaged in traditions that tie them to the land and sea.
This sense of authenticity isn’t just a surface feature, it’s immersive and personal. As travelers become savvier, the human warmth and raw natural beauty of Atlantic Canada offer lasting impressions that go far beyond the typical tourist checklist.
Creating a Sense of Belonging
The region’s defining feature isn’t just its scenery—it’s the spirit of its people. “Family,” “welcome,” “authentic,” and “wonderful” were the most common words repeated by various tourism professionals when asked to sum up the Atlantic Canada Showcase experience. For Annick Robichaud-Butland, the laid-back lifestyle and genuine friendliness are irresistible for those looking to escape the rushed pace of everyday life.
This communal sense goes deeper, too. Leaders like Christy Elliott from Balsam Ridge Forest Domes emphasize personal attention and the importance of treating every guest like family. At King’s Landing Historical Settlement, the experience isn’t just about history—it’s about making personal connections that make visitors feel it’s “their King’s Landing, not just ours,” as Melissa Lansing shares.
Across properties and attractions, the trend is clear: travelers want to feel like locals, supported by genuine interactions, community-driven partnerships, and experiences that foster a true sense of belonging.
A Cooperative Spirit Elevates the Guest Experience
Atlantic Canada’s tourism boom is built on a foundation of cooperation. Tour operators and destinations frequently cross-sell one another’s products and services, ensuring that visitors enjoy fully-rounded itineraries and seamless transitions between provinces. For Annick Robichaud-Butland, collaborating with other receptive tour operators means providing a well-rounded itinerary and boosting economic potential for all partners.
Organizations like Explore New Brunswick also highlight region-wide cooperative marketing efforts, such as the Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism—a pitch that unites Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island under one friendly umbrella. This collaborative approach allows the region to punch above its weight, attracting record numbers of buyers and making Atlantic Canada a must-watch destination on the travel map.
Sustainability, Seasonality, and Personalization
As travel recovers post-pandemic, Atlantic Canada is seeing dynamic changes in visitor interests. Regenerative travel, off-season exploration, culinary journeys, heritage tourism, and multi-generational trips are all on the rise. Local experts are adapting by introducing winter offerings, hands-on activities, food-and-beverage experiences, and expanding digital storytelling platforms to reach both Canadian and international audiences.
Repeat guests are increasing, with many super fans returning year after year to deepen their exploration. New partnerships, enhanced seasonal operations, and innovations—like Nordic spas and astro-tourism—are key drivers keeping the region vibrant and relevant.
Above all, Atlantic Canada consistently inspires, welcomes, and connects with travelers in ways that are both meaningful and memorable. Atlantic Canada isn’t just a destination—it’s a way to feel at home, no matter where you’re from.
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On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Chris Mondini, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director of Europe for ICANN, and Dusty Trevino, CEO of Dot Vegas. We will learn how top-level domains are created and what domains like Dot Vegas can do to help a brand stand out. Our conversation is informative, educational, and will give you a whole new perspective on your brand’s Internet address.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How top-level domains (TLDs) are created and why the addressing system of the Internet matters
- Why distinctive TLDs, like Dot Vegas, offer a strategic advantage for destination branding and marketing
- What it takes to register your own top-level domain, including the technical, financial, and organizational requirements necessary
- How geographic domains (such as .vegas, .nyc, and .brussels) can strengthen place identity and foster trust
- Why cities and entrepreneurs collaborate in launching city-based TLDs, and how community endorsement is essential for successful implementation
- How adopting new TLDs can make brands more memorable to prospective visitors, and help organizations stand out from the crowd
Demystifying Top-Level Domains
A memorable web address is more than just a convenience, it’s an essential tool for branding, discoverability, and trust. Chris Mondini, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director of Europe for ICANN, and Dusty Trevino, CEO of Dot Vegas, discuss how TLDs like .vegas, .paris, and .nyc can be invaluable assets for destination marketers, tourism professionals, and place branding experts.
Most consider internet domains an afterthought, but as Chris explains, they’re the backbone of online connectivity. The Internet isn’t a single global network—it’s tens of thousands of independently operated networks that agree to connect using common protocols and a shared addressing system. Fifteen years ago, there were only a handful: .com, .net, .org, and so on. Today, there are TLDs for cities (.nyc, .paris), concepts (.guru, .xyz), and more, opening new doors for personalized branding and community-building online.
The Dot Vegas Story
Dusty offers an inside look into operating Dot Vegas, which shows how a custom domain can amplify a destination’s brand. Unlike some city domains, .vegas is globally accessible; anyone can register, regardless of residency. This flexibility enables local businesses, tour operators, and organizations worldwide to associate themselves with the Vegas brand, strengthening their ties to the city’s renowned excitement and appeal.
Why Top-Level Domains Matter for Marketers
A custom TLD isn’t just a vanity URL. Operating a TLD means running a piece of internet infrastructure and directly controlling your digital address, data queries, policies, and trust signals. For marketers, there are lots of benefits:
- Brand Identity: A city or region TLD immediately communicates place and can reinforce local pride.
- Discoverability: Words like “weddings.vegas” are memorable, making campaigns more effective and easier to recall.
- Trust & Security: A TLD operated or endorsed by local government or a trusted entity assures users of authenticity—crucial for e-commerce, municipal services, and tourism.
- Data Insights: TLD operators gain visibility into traffic and usage, supporting more targeted digital strategies.
If you see “.yourcity,” you can trust you’re connecting with the real brand.
Top-level domains aren’t just technical jargon; they’re strategic marketing tools that can transform destination branding, promote community engagement, and build trust with global audiences.
Resources:
- Website: https://www.icann.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmondini/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-trevino-743064a/
We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more of. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!