Cape Breton University Announces World Tourism Institute

On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, in Baddeck, NS, Cape Breton University (CBU) announced the launch of the World Tourism Institute (WTI). Rooted in the depth and diversity of the Cape Breton Tourism Sector, the long history of Tourism and Hospitality Programming at CBU and the established Industry and Community relationships, the WTI looks to build upon existing industry and community collaboration for the purpose of tourism excellence.

The WTI will work toward:

• Hosting a Cape Breton conference on Tourism Innovation in late 2019
• Hosting and leading an international tourism conference in 2021
• Changing the timing of start dates for the academic curriculum for students in the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program to coincide with the end of the shoulder tourism season.
• Implementing Professional Development sessions for local operators
• Creating a certificate in Mi’kmaw Tourism to be delivered with the support and partnership of Mi’kmaw knowledge holders and subject matter experts.
• Strengthening the Cape Breton Tourism Industry through Immigration.

“Cape Breton University is proud to host this Institute and so pleased to be working with an advisory board made up of individuals from across the sector with industry expertise,” says David C. Dingwall, President and Vice-Chancellor. “The World Tourism Institute is collaborative, innovative and will make an enormous impact on the tourism sector on Cape Breton Island, and indeed the world.”

In consultation with industry and industry associations, the short-term professional development program will be developed as stand-alone modules or bundled into a certificate program, and eventually, form the basis for course-credit toward the BHTM program.  The proposed modules are comprised of three tiers:

• Frontline Training: For employees who interact with visitors on a regular basis, frontline training encompasses fundamental aspects of exceeding service expectations.
• Manager/Owner/Operator Training:  For managers and owners in pursuit of creating an organizational culture that strives for service excellence.
• Policies & Procedures Review:  This training will focus on the development of policies and procedures to support service excellence.

The WTI will work towards identifying gaps in Tourism research specific to Cape Breton Island and foster multidisciplinary research in global issues which may help to advance the local or regional sector and will explore adding industry certifications to the curriculum of the BHTM to better prepare students for the transition to the workforce.

The Industry Advisory Board will provide expert advice and effective tourism industry representation re: trends, gaps, and opportunities as related to programming, projects, research and the overall tourism student experience.

For more information contact Dr. Keith G. Brown at Keith_brown@cbu.ca.