Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor

"Linking 13 UNESCO-designated sites across the Atlantic provinces as a premier travel destination."

The Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor connects 13 UNESCO-designated sites across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. This corridor aims to showcase the region's rich cultural heritage, natural wonders, and geological marvels while promoting sustainable tourism practices and fostering collaboration between communities.

• UNESCO Site Concentration: The corridor connects 13 UNESCO-designated sites across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, offering a unique concentration of globally recognized natural and cultural heritage.
• Diverse Tourism Assets: The corridor showcases a wide range of attractions, from World Heritage Sites to Biosphere Regions and Global Geoparks, providing visitors with varied experiences in cultural heritage, natural wonders, and geological marvels.
• Cross-Provincial Collaboration: The corridor fosters cooperation between three Atlantic provinces, encouraging regional economic development and shared tourism strategies.
• Global Recognition: UNESCO designations provide instant international recognition, potentially attracting a wider range of domestic and international visitors interested in world-class heritage experiences.

• Exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing ancient human settlements and unique geological formations
• Discovering diverse UNESCO Global Geoparks, offering insights into Earth's history and geological processes
• Experiencing sustainable living practices in UNESCO Biosphere Regions, demonstrating harmony between human activity and nature
• Engaging with local communities to learn about their rich cultural traditions and heritage
• Participating in educational programs focused on environmental conservation and cultural preservation
• Enjoying outdoor activities in varied landscapes, from coastal areas to forests
• Sampling local cuisine influenced by the region's natural resources and cultural diversity
• Witnessing the interplay between human history and natural wonders across multiple UNESCO sites

• Provincial tourism organizations of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador
• Canadian Commission for UNESCO
• Parks Canada
• Indigenous tourism associations
• 13 UNESCO site partners
• Local communities and businesses within and around the UNESCO sites

The Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor strategy has been completed and is now in the implementation phase. The strategy aims to:

• Align communities and UNESCO sites under a common vision for sustainable tourism
• Develop new and enhanced tourism experiences that showcase the unique features of each site
• Position the corridor as a world-class destination for sustainable and regenerative tourism

As part of the implementation phase, two successful media familiarization (FAM) tours were conducted in 2024. These FAM tours hosted 13 international media representatives from six countries (Australia, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea) and resulted in increased media coverage in target international markets, including features in National Geographic publications.

“A journey through the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor is like a journey through a book of meaningful stories for humanity.”
– Jennifer Dingman, Executive Director for the Fundy Biosphere Region and Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark

“If you enhance Red Bay and get more visitors that will provide more opportunities for businesses in all the region… We’re the drawing card and we are free advertising for other communities.”
– Philip Bridle, Visitor Experience Team Leader at the Red Bay Basque Whaling Station UNESCO World Heritage Site

“Once you can guarantee the protection of the night sky through education and legislation, you can advertise it for what it is: dark skies.”
– Tim Doucette, Deep Sky Eye Observatory and the Starlight Development Society

“Every community is worth seeing… We have an opportunity to prepare for a potential influx of tourists… We want this place to be as pristine as it is now even as we embrace an influx of tourism to contribute to the growth of the economy.”
– Marieke Gow, Artisan Inn & Twine Loft Dining

“People are inspired and see the potential of this UNESCO Corridor really benefiting their communities.”
– Erica D’Souza, Destination Canada

“You could have a nice open fire on the beach after catching scallops, picking fiddleheads on the salt marsh. People would love that coming from anywhere… What are we waiting for?”
– Laurie Currie, Local Guy Adventures

The Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor presents significant potential for tourism growth and investment, including:

• Development of new sustainable tourism experiences aligned with UNESCO values
• Enhancement of interpretation centers and visitor facilities at UNESCO sites
• Investment in eco-friendly accommodation and transportation options
• Creation of educational programs and facilities focused on environmental and cultural preservation
• Development of technology-enhanced visitor experiences and digital interpretation tools

Current Investment in the Corridor

Ongoing investment initiatives include:

• Implementation of regenerative tourism strategies across the 13 UNESCO sites
• Development of action plans to address investment readiness gaps
• Creation of new collaborative projects between UNESCO sites

For detailed information on investment prospects in this corridor, please contact:

Erica D'Souza
Senior Director, Destination Development
Destination Canada
dsouza.erica@destinationcanada.com

1. Explore the strategy here
2. Visit the Knowledge Hub for blogposts
3. Find the latest updates
4. Visit TourismScapes for information on this Corridor

To learn more about how you can be involved in the Corridor, including partnerships and investor opportunities, community engagement initiatives, and volunteer opportunities, please contact us.

Erica D'Souza
Senior Director, Destination Development
Destination Canada
dsouza.erica@destinationcanada.com

Zoe Compton

Programme Officer, Natural Sciences
Canadian Commission for UNESCO

Zoe.Compton@ccunesco.ca

Jennifer Dingman

Executive Director
Fundy Biosphere Region & Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark

Executive.Director@fundy-biosphere.com