Shaping the Future of Tourism Experiences
Made possible through funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev), RTO3 – Hamilton Halton Brant has partnered with the Transformational Travel Council to empower qualified tourism operators in developing innovative, sustainable experiences. Under the leadership of Bev Scott, Manager, Business & Visitor Experiences Development, this intensive program launched in late fall 2024, combining in-person training sessions with ongoing support to guide operators in creating purpose-led experiences that align with destination sustainability principles.
The Transformational Travel Design Program helps operators develop experiences that go beyond traditional tourism offerings, focusing on meaningful connections with people, places, and cultures. These sustainable, thoughtfully designed experiences will be ready for consumers in 2025, enhancing our region’s competitive edge while supporting our commitment to responsible tourism development. The program’s emphasis on creating experiences that benefit both visitors and local communities while preserving our natural and cultural assets directly supports our broader sustainability goals.
What is Transformational Travel?
Transformational travel is about creating deeper, more meaningful connections between travelers and the places they visit. It encourages visitors to engage with a destination’s history, culture, and environment while fostering personal growth and purposeful travel.
For the Hamilton Halton Brant region, transformational travel is closely tied to Destination Sustainability. By embracing sustainable tourism practices, operators can create experiences that inspire travelers, protect natural and cultural resources, benefit local communities, and support long-term economic growth.
The Transformational Travel Design Program (TTDP) was developed to empower tourism operators to align their products with these principles, ensuring that tourism in our region remains innovative, impactful, and sustainable.
About the Program
Launched in Fall 2024, the TTDP provided tools and training to help operators design purpose-led experiences that cater to today’s conscious travelers. Developed in partnership with the Transformational Travel Council and supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, this program emphasized innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
- Inspiring Innovation: Operators learned to create meaningful experiences that encourage travelers to explore with intention and engage deeply with the destination.
- Practical Learning: The 5-week intensive program combined:
- Field Experiences: Hands-on opportunities to apply transformational travel techniques.
- Expert Guidance: Virtual sessions facilitated by the Transformational Travel Council to exchange ideas and strategies.
- Systems and Sustainability Coaching: Tools to design impactful, sustainable tourism offerings.
- Capstone Projects: Each participant developed a unique, market-ready experience tailored to their business or community, with ongoing support from RTO3.
Key Features of TTDP
- Visitor-Centered Development: Participants created experiences that foster deeper engagement and meaningful connections.
- Sustainability Focus: Operators integrated stewardship principles into their offerings, ensuring alignment with RTO3’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
- Collaboration and Support: The program facilitated collaboration among operators while providing the tools and resources needed for long-term success.
2024 TTDP Progress Updates
The 2024 TTDP brought together 14 exceptional tourism operators, each of whom developed innovative offerings that align with transformational travel principles. We are excited to share progress updates on the incredible work these participants have done as they bring their projects to market.
Stay tuned for updates on their journey and how their projects are enhancing tourism in Hamilton Halton Brant.
Looking Ahead
While intake for the Transformational Travel Design Program is now closed, RTO3 remains committed to supporting tourism operators in adopting transformational and sustainable tourism practices.
Get Involved
For tourism business operators seeking inspiration or guidance, our team is here to assist in creating purposeful and market-ready offerings. To learn more about how you can enhance or develop new tourism experiences and products in Hamilton Halton Brant, please contact Bev Scott, Manager, Business and Visitor Experience Development.
