Richmond County Tourism Development

Cape Breton has begun to rejuvenate its tourism product and experiences. The Municipality of Richmond County is capitalizing on this timely development initiative by presenting a holistic master plan for tourism development. This is a classic case of where Harvey Sawler worked on the entire preliminary product, experiential and branding concepts for Richmond, to be joined and then followed by Dan Glenn in creating the substance in product development terms. The purpose of the spatial planning exercise was to assess the existing potential of physical and cultural assets in the county and to recommend development enhancements that would bring the newly created brands to life. The recommendations in the plan will create a true tourism economy with outstanding products, outstanding infrastructure and outstanding experiences.

Harvey Sawler undertook the asset research and devised the overall regional tourism strategy based on matching potential product to the customer. He conducted dozens of stakeholder interviews and guided tourism capacity building. He also developed the brands and interpretive themes and storylines.

Glenn Group was subsequently awarded the spatial plan to evolve these potential ideas to real projects. The scope included; illustrative drawings, public engagement, wayfinding strategy, blueways strategy, design motif, capital cost estimates and implementation strategy. The projects were successful in receiving funding and the firm was further retained to prepare detailed design and tender documents. The projects are ready for tendering.