Five amazing and authentic incentive experiences in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada draws travellers from around the globe with its rugged beauty, from red sand beaches and craggy cliffs, to rolling hills and colourful villages. Add in fresh seafood, giant icebergs, lively Acadian culture and some of the friendliest people on the planet, and the idyllic region is the perfect place to celebrate incentive winners and rebuild corporate culture through transformative experiences.
Another amazing perk about Atlantic Canada is that it’s easy to get to — about a five-hour flight from European destinations, including London. Plus, Canada’s borders are now open, meaning that there’s never been a better time to host a corporate reward there.
Read on to discover the top five incentive experiences in the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Celebrate with a lively kitchen party
Credit: Rachel Peters Photography
Atlantic Canada is known for its warm hospitality. That’s perhaps best exemplified through traditional East Coast kitchen parties. A Canadian folk tradition, kitchen parties are lively celebrations filled with music, dance and communal meals, colourfully illustrated with a cast of local characters and storytellers. It’s an unforgettable way to bring your team together and celebrate their successes.
The beauty of today’s kitchen parties is that they can take place virtually anywhere. Gather with your team on the beach, on a boat, at a local farmers’ market or an array of other magical venues to share fresh-from-the-ocean lobster and local dishes, and hear traditional songs and stories. Bonus points for those who get “screeched in” to become honorary Newfoundlanders through a welcome ceremony that involves kissing a codfish and drinking a spiced rum called Newfoundland Screech.
Enjoy a lobster feast
Credit: Heather Ogg Photography
Celebrate your top performers with a day spent catching lobster off Canada’s Atlantic coast. There’s no better reward than heading out on vibrant blue waters, smelling the fresh sea air and watching the setting sun shimmering on the water.
The Fiddling Fisherman in Prince Edward Island offers that and more. After sailing out of the picturesque Souris Harbour and dropping anchor, teams will bond as they become part of the crew and haul up lobster traps — all while being regaled by captivating stories from locals.
They’ll finish the day by enjoying the freshest lobster they’ve ever had with a crisp glass of local wine, while the captain entertains them with traditional fiddle music.
Experience the thrill of scallop diving
Lobster isn’t, of course, the only seafood your team can catch in Atlantic Canada. Treat them to a scallop diving experience through Ocean Quest in Newfoundland and Labrador.
As they set out by boat on the Atlantic waters, they’ll be taken to the most breathtaking coastal reefs and ancient wrecks — spending an afternoon diving for scallops with a guide. They can then watch as their captain prepares their finds on the private boat, enjoying a delicious feast with a refreshing glass of wine while admiring the sun slowly slip into the horizon.
One-of-a-kind iceberg viewing
Credit: Fogo Island Inn
Imagine getting an up-front view of towering slabs of 10,000-year-old icebergs as they slowly drift past you. Sounds incredible? It’s possible in Iceberg Alley, off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Celebrate your team by giving them the chance to kayak or take a boat tour amongst the ancient icebergs. They’ll be amazed as they get up close to marvel at their unique shapes, sizes and colours. While on the water, they can also see a host of marine wildlife, like whales, dolphins and seals — while puffins, a bird native to the area, fly over them.
They’ll finish their day on the shore with local cocktails containing fresh “bergie bits” foraged from the icebergs, while sitting next to a warm fire. This is one ocean-bound adventure that your team won’t ever forget.
A gourmet lighthouse picnic
Credit: Lighthouse Picnics/Nancy Williams
Another way to reward your incentive winners is with a lighthouse picnic amidst sandy beaches, historical lighthouses towering on red cliffs, crashing waves and the scent of fresh sea air.
After a hike along the dramatic coastline, your team will sit in tranquility as they unpack a basket filled with locally sourced, gourmet salads, sandwiches, desserts and refreshing lemonade. Their gazes will no doubt be on the ocean as they watch for spouting whales and enjoy the mesmerizing colours of the sky. This is available at the famous Ferryland Lighthouse, an hour’s drive from St. John’s, along with other locations across Atlantic Canada.
A charming incentive
Atlantic Canada is filled with unique activities and warm hospitality. Reward your team with these unforgettable experiences, and they’ll return feeling more energized than ever. Not sure where to get started? Destination Canada’s Business Events team is available to help planners personalize incentives, provide insight and more.
For impartial insights, inspiration and introductions, planners can contact Jennifer Attersall, Director of Incentive Travel, Destination Canada Business Events at attersall.jennifer@destinationcanada.com