Nature & Adventure Tourism Self-Assessment Tool

Self-Assessment completed by:*

Nature and Adventure stakeholders, tourism business owners/managers and communities/destinations (e.g. city/municipal staff, community champions etc.) are good choices to complete this 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.

Name of Nature & Adventure product you are assessing:*

Eg. a park, a paddling route, a hiking trail etc. Tip: Try using this self-assessment in the planning stages of a nature/adventure product and then again during open season.

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 Nature & Adventure Tourism

General Practices

3 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 the local or regional Destination Marketing Organization, Destination Northern Ontario and tourism partners (e.g. provincial and federal parks, Ontario Trails Council), within their cluster, on priority product, marketing and/or training development initiatives.*

Legal Practices

6 Questions

1. Operator has 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 has requisite operating permits and land holder permissions and ensures staff/volunteers have requisite certifications and training (e.g. ORCKA, First Aid/CPR, Wilderness & Remote First Aid, interpretive training).*

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

4. 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.*

5. 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.*

6. Requisite waivers provided online and/or available onsite to sign before participating.*

Operations

12 Questions

1. There is a high-quality tourism experience that is well-planned, actively managed as appropriate for its type/use(s), in a manner that reflects sustainable management principles.

2. Land use management plan is enforced and updated regularly if required.*

3. Carrying capacity numbers are identified and managed.*

4. Operator has both risk management and maintenance/repair plans in place with appropriate budget to facilitate them.*

5. Operator has staff/volunteer training and safety program in place and promotes a culture of safety amongst staff and visitors.*

6. Operator clearly communicates emergency procedures (e.g. contact numbers, geographical location, access points and cell phone reception) to all persons attending at the site, staff, guests and volunteers.*

7. Amenities such as special equipment, full and/or partial outfitting and training if the experience requires it; shuttles; parking facilities and washrooms and garbage/recycling that are lit, safe, well maintained and accessible are provided. Dog waste stations available where applicable.*

8. Operator provides visitors with information about other accessible infrastructure in the region (e.g. nearby restaurants, outfitting shops).*

9. Infrastructure is part of site plan with accessibility, sustainability and ecological integrity top of mind (e.g. ensure water crossing standards are met).*

10. Pathway materials are sustainable and low impact practices are employed (i.e. leave no trace). Signage has been created from long lasting durable materials.*

11. Alternate routes provided in the case of inclement weather.*

12. If open in the off-season, a plowed parking for visitors is provided where appropriate.*

Trail Specific

6 Questions

1. Pre-trip planning materials are available online (e.g. trail descriptions, types/levels of accessibility, hazards,) that indicate necessary levels of fitness, distance, approx. walking times and list of equipment required (e.g. Spot device, trekking poles, hiking boots, compass, topographic map).

2. Clear and consistent signage leading to trailheads and along the route.

3. Trailhead includes signage with rules and regulations, wayfinding, available interpretive information.

4. Trail has trail markers and intersection signage and forewarns of hazards or risks (particularly with regards to water crossings) throughout and is carefully placed so as not be obtrusive and is clear and consistent.

5. Free maps are available on-site for day trails with levels of fitness required, distance, approximate walking times indicated on map.*

6. Trail uses accessible landscape designs when/where possible e.g. boardwalk and trail leveling.

Park Specific

9 Questions

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

2. Park connects people to nature, promotes human contact and has social activities for people to engage in.

3. Park offers a diversity of experiences (e.g. trails, corporate team building opportunities, school trips).

4. Amenities such as potable water, campfire wood and outhouses are accessible and/or provided.

5. Accessible and easy to use maps (print, electronic) available.

6. Park has accessible pathways/roadways with coordinated signage that link park facilities (e.g. washrooms, potable water, garbage and recycling).

7. Park has fair, clear and consistent instructional awareness signage (e.g. picture of poison ivy, dogs allowed, feeding wildlife etc.).

8. Park has clear rules, regulations around booking and permit use.

9. Room for RV/bus turnaround in areas where required.

Paddling Specific

2 Questions

1. Defined access points, portages and campsites with signage including where to park your vehicle on the map.

2. Marked portages and campsites with a 1:50 000 waterproof scale map for backcountry canoeing with declination, UTM grid, and other navigational aids available.

Visitor Experiences

6 Questions

1. There is access to self-guided interpretive materials in print or digital. Interpretive content is interesting and engaging.*

2. Access is provided to expert guides who involve and engage the visitor.*

3. Tourism experience focuses on opportunities related to notable or signature landscapes, waterways and wildlife viewing and links experiences with local culture and heritage.*

4. Sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses.*

5. Operator partners and offers packages with local partners (e.g. accommodations, provincial and federal parks, cultural groups, art galleries/artists, educational institutions) to enhance visitor experience.*

6. Operator bundles with other nature and adventure activities (e.g. multiple seasonal activities such trail running events, Indigenous cultural food experiences or bushcraft).*

Marketing

4 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. At milestone areas/locations (e.g. trailhead or significant landmarks) photo opportunities are provided and social media connection is encouraged.*

3. Tracking of customer satisfaction takes place to share with Destination Northern Ontario (e.g. surveys, encourage reviews on Trip Advisor, social media).*

4. Operator actively promotes operation on social media, updates website as needed and promptly responds to and engages with visitors and general enquiries.*

Nature & Adventure Tourism Self-Assessment Tool

Key Practices for Working in Nature & Adventure Tourism

General Practices

Legal Practices

Operations

Trail Specific

Park Specific

Paddling Specific

Visitor Experiences

Marketing

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