New experiential tours in Grosse-Île on offer to international cruise ship visitors to Magdalen Islands

Source: Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine

New experiential tours in Grosse-Île on offer to international cruise ship visitors to Magdalen Islands

A diverse group of partners are demonstrating that collaboration can generate economic benefits for communities on the archipelago.

Over the past year and a half, Magdalen Islands International Cruise Ship Tours Venture partners have focused on creating two new experiential tours featuring the people, history, and traditions of English-speakers on Grosse-Île. Guided by the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC), Venture Partners are unlocking the creativity and innovation produced by sharing perspectives, resources and knowledge. Their shared purpose is to increase the number of visits and amount of local spending by the passengers on cruise ships visiting the islands, while also strengthening seasonal tourism jobs in the region.

The first new experiential tour has cruise ship passengers hopping on a bus to cross from Cap-aux-Meules to Grosse-Île for a tour of the Cap Dauphin fish plant, complete with tales of fishing on the archipelago, a tasty lobster roll, and a visit to La Maison du Potier and its ÉCONOMUSÉE® just down the road.

“The fishing industry is a pillar of Grosse-Île’s economy,” said Ruth Taker-Thibodeau, General Manager of Cap Dauphin Fishermen’s Cooperative. “Touring the live lobster pound and tasting our products provides a window on how we leverage the natural resources around us to generate economic growth in our community.”

Source: Cap Dauphin Fishermen's Cooperative

While this Fall’s inaugural tour was cancelled due to bad weather, adapting to the weather, as resilient Magdalen Islanders know, is simply part of the equation. Bouncing back, the Venture continues to develop and prepare to deliver new tourism products.

The second new experiential tour, which will launch in 2025, will feature a visit to the Historical Heritage Site in Grosse-Île, managed by the Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders (CAMI). Cruise ship passengers will hear stories about the history and culture of the English speakers on the island, taste a piece of war cake, and visit La Maison du Potier.

“As a Venture partner, we are collaborating with our key business, community, and municipal colleagues to ensure that Grosse-Île’s rich English-language history and culture contribute to growing local tourism,” said Michel Vigneault, Executive Director of the Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders (CAMI). “Our Historical Heritage Site is key when it comes to providing cruise ship visitors with a full and rich experience of Grosse-Île.”

Sources: Nigel Quinn and Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine

“Developing an experiential tour for international cruise ship passengers requires collaboration, determination and perseverance,” explained Damien Déraspe, Director of Operations for Autobus les Sillons. “There are many moving parts. It takes a couple of years to sell a cruise line on a new tour,” added the tour operator. “Working together, we are gaining the experience we need to succeed.”

“We have wanted to develop a guided tour of Grosse-Île for a long time,” explained Denis Bourque, Executive Director, Escale Îles de la Madeleine. “It’s an unknown cultural treasure,” he said. “CEDEC’s expertise in Collaborative Economic Development helps us to create a space to be innovative. It nurtured a spirit of working together to design and deliver future tourism products and services.”

“These new experiential tours confirm the opportunity to increase tourism employment, increase the sales of local goods and services from Venture Partner businesses and organizations,” said Franck Atsiga, Senior Economist at CEDEC.

“Our goal is to strengthen local tourism by taking full advantage of visitors from cruise ships already scheduled to dock here,” stated Damien Déraspe. “We want to leverage working together to find new ways to enhance the experiences of visitors when they plan to be with us as part of their vacation.”

The Public, Private and Civil Society Partners leading and supporting this Collaborative Economic Development Venture include Escale Îles de la Madeleine, Autobus les Sillons, Cap Dauphin Fishermen’s Cooperative, Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders (CAMI), the Municipality of Grosse-Île, and La Maison du Potier.