LIFT is the only program of its kind in Canada delivered by Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism or GMIST. It’s designed for any Northumberland business that has tourism at it’s heart, or businesses looking to add a major tourism component to their offering.
The program got it’s start during the pandemic and combines the best of online and in-community learning with a unique design based on peer-to-peer learning and support.
The eight month program is delivered in three phases. Phase one is all about helping to refine your idea which is done through self-paced learning modules as well as a coaching call. The second phase is a four-day in-person session in Gros Morne National Park. The multi-day workshop is designed to help take your idea and crate a road map to success. The third phase is all about getting your idea to market.
Northumberland Tourism’s Diane Murenbeeld told us about the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism.
The best news is, GMIST will apply a full scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, online and in-community training, e-courses and coaching as well as cover in-community costs of accommodations and most meals and reimburse up to $1000 to offset travel costs to Rocky Harbour, NL.
Northumberland Tourism’s Diane Murenbeeld shared what participants can expect from the training.
What GMIST is looking for from you is to commit to participating in all parts of the program including the 4-day, in-community portion of the program in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland. You’ll also be asked to develop your new visitor experiences while supporting others in your program and cover your costs to travel to local airport and any extra nights accommodation you may want beyond the 4 nights covered by GMIST. You’ll also need access to reliable internet with camera and microphone for some of the training.
According to Northumberland Tourism’s Diane Murenbeeld peer to peer support is at the heart of the G-MIST training.
Here are a few set time-frames to be aware of:
The deadline is January 19th so time is of the essence to participate.
Jan – April, 2024 – Phase One: Much of the first part of the program will be done at your own pace with a Zoom onboarding session, e-courses and a 1:1 coaching session.
May 6 – 9, 2024 – Phase Two: In-person “think tank”, Gros Morne National Park, Rocky Harbour, NL
May – December, 2024 – Phase Three: we will work as a group to set dates and times that work for the support pieces you may need.
The program is designed to support existing tourism operators. You can be non-profit, for profit or government, but you must be the one delivering the actual tourism experience or offering!
For those who are interested, but maybe not quite ready, Murenbeeld told us there will be more chances to apply.
“My experience as a participant in the first LIFT program has been beyond amazing- the content, online courses, knowledgeable facilitators, and peer support all play a huge role in making this hands-on course so incredible. I’ve never seen another course structured quite this way! Unique and impactful.”
-Chantelle MacKay-Elliott (The Ledges Inn, Doaktown, NB)
For more info about lift, visit this link: LIFT › Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism (gmist.ca)
Written by Joseph Goden
