Angling Tourism Self-Assessment Tool

Self-Assessment completed by:*

Managers, owners and staff can complete the self-assessment. Tip: Staff members on the front line with visitors will have a particularly good perspective to bring to the discussion.

Title/Position:*

Business Name:*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Date*

Phone*

Email*

A copy of your completed self-assessment will be emailed to the address you provide.

Please be advised that completed self-assessments are stored on Destination Northern Ontario’s database. Your business/personal information is protected under Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) with results kept confidential and only shared within DNO for the purpose of providing insights into needs and trends in product, training and workforce development initiatives and will not be used for anything outside this purpose. For any questions, please contact Karen Peacock, Senior Coordinator, Industry Training at k.peacock@destinationnorthernontario.ca.

A note on your responses: When you receive your completed self-assessment (emailed to you after you click the submit button), pay special attention to any 'Does Not Meet' selections. These are opportunities for improvement. Ideally, you want to see all 'Exceeds' or 'Meets' selections.

Key Practices for Working in Angling Tourism

General Practices

5 Questions

1. Operator has completed Tourism Excellence North's Visitor Appeal Assessment Tool.*

The Visitor Appeal Assessment Tool is a standalone TEN self-assessment tool that evaluates the visitor experience of your tourism product.

2. Operator's business and required operating licenses are current.*

3. Operator is involved with their local or regional Destination Marketing Organization, Destination Northern Ontario, Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario or tourism partners within their cluster on product development, marketing and/or training initiatives.*

4. Operator is knowledgeable about and participates in Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Forest Management Planning within the Forest Management Unit in which their waterbody resides.*

5. Operator has negotiated a Resource Stewardship Agreement with the forest company in their Forest Management Unit that satisfies the parties' respective concerns on tourism values, forest management prescriptions, road use management strategies and other matters.*

Legal Practices

5 Questions

1. Operator shall maintain a minimum of $2 million liability insurance. A higher amount of liability insurance may be required depending on the event (i.e. level of risk, alcohol involved, etc.). Inquire with insurance provider to ensure correct coverage and amount.*

2. Operator complies with all municipal, provincial and federal health and safety laws and regulations for their operation.*

3. Operator has prepared and reviewed a written occupational health and safety policy and has developed and maintained a program to implement that policy. All postings and training requirements have been met.*

4. Operation meets or exceeds the minimum standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the AODA’s Design for Public Spaces Standard.*

5. Guides/staff have the applicable licenses and certifications (e.g. boat operator, first aid/CPR, etc.).*

Operations

19 Questions

1. There are fair, clear and consistent booking/cancellation policies for guests (e.g. inclement weather, road closures, multiple packages and/or a variety of trip durations offered during off-peak season, etc.) in place.

2. Accommodation is well maintained with modern amenities where possible (e.g. quality mattresses, linens, Wi-Fi, flush toilets).*

3. Facilities (e.g. accommodations, washrooms, bathing areas, outposts) are clean and sanitized regularly. If running water for hand washing is not available, an alternative is provided (e.g. hand sanitizer).*

4. Operator uses environmentally friendly and sustainable practices where possible (e.g. reusable cups, plates and cutlery, reusable bags).*

5. Operators offering American Plans ensure food is high quality and cooks are trained/experienced to develop well-balanced menu plans, with emphasis on home-style cooking, and, if possible, incorporate local foods and/or foods that align with the history/culture of the region.*

6. Operator ensures American Plan includes a hearty breakfast in the morning, a box lunch for day outings and dinner served in the evening.*

7. Operators offering Housekeeping Plans ensure cottages/cabins have appropriate cooking (e.g. stove and BBQ), cleaning area and storage facilities available.*

8. Facilities are cleaned after every guest’s departure, including remote fly-in camps.*

9. Customer service training for all service personnel has been completed.*

10. Ensure shore lunches are well-planned, engaging and hands-on, as they are an important part of your guest’s experience and provide you an opportunity to interact with guests in a meaningful way. The shore lunch site includes fish cleaning tables, picnic tables and fire pits.*

11. Operator has safe working boats and motors in excellent condition (i.e. motors are reliable and run without stalling) with kill switches installed. Boats must be dry, clean and comfortable (e.g. seats with backrests that swivel) for 7-8 hours of use per day.*

12. Operator ensures boats are cleaned daily, fueled and ready for service. Boats are promptly inspected, necessary repairs made, cleaned and refueled as they are returned during the day.*

13. Operator provides dock service during boating hours.*

14. Additional equipment is supplied to guests including bait buckets, required emergency equipment, navigation/GPS, sonar and/or detailed topographical fishing maps with spots of interest and good fishing areas indicated for when there is no guide present.*

15. Operator provides rod holders (if not already supplied) and rental of quality rods and reels for visitors to experience other types of fishing (e.g. fly-fishing, bait cast and bottom bouncing setups).*

16. Equipment is serviced regularly, and any problems are handled immediately.*

17. Operator provides a bait and tackle shop with additional equipment for sale or rent.*

18. Operator has risk management and maintenance/repair plan in place with appropriate budget.*

19. Staff and guides are properly trained in all aspects of the operation including safety protocol and waterway management training and operator promotes a culture of safety amongst staff and visitors (e.g. personal flotation device awareness is encouraged).*

Sustainable Fisheries and Waterway Management Practices

6 Questions

1. Operator has created a sustainable fisheries and waterway management plan for use by clients, guides and staff and regularly communicates relevant details of this plan with staff and clients prior to arrival (e.g. protection of breeder fish and spawning sites; practices catch and release only).*

2. Operator works with other lodges/operators on waterways to have a similar fisheries and waterways management protocol.*

3. Operator encourages guests to become advocates of the sustainability of fisheries (e.g. creates an award and/or social media recognition program).*

4. Operator has safe fish/angling handling protocols (e.g. hooks removed, barbless, proper nets, cradles).*

5. Operator promotes more fuel-efficient ways of boating to reduce carbon footprint (e.g. drifting or anchoring). If available, operator provides electronic trolling motors for guests.*

6. Established and communicated proper waste management protocols for guests and staff are in place.*

Visitor Experience

6 Questions

1. Ahead of arrival, operator provides a checklist for suggestions of proper fishing equipment (rods, reels, fishing lines, lures, etc.) and maps to bring.*

2. Time is taken upon guests’ arrival to explain fishing techniques in the area, best fishing locations and follow-up is done during their stay to see how they are doing. If guests are not experiencing success, operator puts in extra effort to ensure a good experience.*

3. Options for fishing types are provided (e.g. fly fishing, fishing from pontoon boats or kayaks/canoes or in streams) and operator ensures guides are trained and can assist guests with these options.*

4. Guides have been trained in professional customer service skills.*

5. Guides devote all of their attention to their guests and only under certain circumstances do they have a rod in hand.*

Example: a) If there is a person (usually a small child) in the boat that just wants to reel the fish in and can’t set the hook and/or cast by themselves (or doesn’t want to). b) If the fishing is extremely slow, and it’s important to find out the pattern/presentation of the day or use of different bait. Once they do crack the code, guide puts the rod down, and the customer switches over.

6. Operator and guides know the fishery (including the culture and history of area) and personally pass on this information to guests.*

Marketing Practices

5 Questions

1. Operator has a defined brand that is strong, consistent and attractive throughout the operation. It represents more than a logo, letterhead and website. It is also the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.*

2. Green initiatives, sustainable fisheries practices, waterways management and safe boating practices are highlighted on website and in communication with guests. All boating images include people wearing personal flotation devices (PFD’s) and there are no images of unsustainable fisheries practices within any digital or physical marketing materials.*

3. Blog or newsletter to client contact list is sent monthly with giveaways, engaging content, news and fun.*

4. Operator updates website as needed and promptly responds to and engages with visitors and general enquiries.*

5. Operator actively promotes operation on social media and promptly responds to and engages with visitors and general enquiries.*

6. Post trip, operator sends follow-up email to guests requesting feedback (via email, survey, reviews on social media, etc.).*

7. Operator updates and/or adds to service/experience in response to guest feedback where appropriate.*

8. Operator recognizes that client base is aging within the angling sector.*

9. Operators that recognize client base is aging are implementing marketing strategies to engage new audiences.*

10. Operator recognizes other programs such as Experience Fishing can assist with engaging new markets.*

Key Practices for Working in Angling Tourism

General Practices

Legal Practices

Operations

Sustainable Fisheries and Waterway Management Practices

Visitor Experience

Marketing Practices

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