March 3, 2025 (Sydney, N.S.) Launch of the Mi’kmaw Cultural Tourism Digital Textbook
The CBITTN has completed content collection and video production for the HATM1507: Mi’kmaw Cultural Tourism course. Set to launch in March, this digital textbook features original videos of Unama’ki Mi’kmaw Elders and Knowledge Keepers, along with supportive content from across the Seven Districts of Mi’kma’ki.
In honour of the Elders and Knowledge Keepers, past and present, and the generations to comet hroughout Mi’kma’ki and Turtle Island.
In memory of: Danny Paul, Membertou First Nation & Pat Simon, Eskasoni First Nation
January 28, 2025 (Unama’ki – Cape Breton, N.S.) Mi’kmaw Small Business Training Series
The Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network, in partnership with CBU World Tourism Institute and CBITTN, offer free business training workshops for Mi’kmaw entrepreneurs, with sessions running from February to April 2025. Held biweekly in Wagmatcook and Membertou, with virtual options open to all Mi’kmaw in Nova Scotia, the workshops cover business start-ups, branding, finance, marketing, taxation, and tourism experience development. Participants enjoy a meal before engaging in practical, industry-focused learning.
January 21, 2025 (Sydney, N.S.) Business Case Study Support
In collaboration with the Purdy Crawford Chair, the CBITTN is assisting in the development of business case studies focused on Indigenous entrepreneurship.
January 8, 2025 (Sydney, N.S.) AI BHTM Recruitment Campaign
CBITTN, CBU’s Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program, and VMP Group Inc. are partnering on a pilot program to engage students interested in pursuing education and careers in tourism and hospitality.
January 2, 2025 (Sydney, N.S.) Launch of 2023 Research
CBITTN’s Research Lead published reports on the 2023 tourism season, offering insights into visitor expectations and experiences, workforce opportunities and challenges, and operator specific data.
Led by Indigevisor, this informative and powerful session guided non-Indigenous participants through the unjust history of Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island.
November 12, 2024 (Membertou, N.S.) Unama’ki – Cape Breton Island Tourism Summit
Hosted by Destination Cape Breton and the CBITTN, this day-long event provided tourism operators, businesses, and key community members with engaging sessions and networking opportunities.
November 7. 2024 (Sydney, N.S.) Professional Allyship Training
CBU’s Unama’ki College and the World Tourism Institute hosted a session on professional allyship training facilitated by Balsam Indigenous Reconciliation Education & Advisory.
October 10, 2024 (Eskasoni, Iona, and Baddeck N.S.) BHTM Familiarization Tour
BHTM students participated in a guided tour of Eskasoni Cultural Journeys, Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village, and attended a presentation at the Inverary Resort in Baddeck.
September 23, 2024 (Sydney, N.S.) CBU’s BHTM program receives National Accreditation
Cape Breton University (CBU) announced that its Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (BHTM) program was designated as a SMART+ accredited program by Tourism HR Canada. CBU became the second university in Canada to receive this designation. The SMART+ Accreditation Program, offered by Tourism HR Canada, is a pan-Canadian initiative aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. This designation indicated that the BHTM program at CBU met or exceeded industry standards and demonstrated best practices in program development and delivery, along with exceptional review, improvement, and outcome measurement.
May 28, 2024 Student Research
The CBITTN hired 4 CBU graduate students to assist in Visitor Experience Research data collection at participating signature tourism attractions across Unama’ki- Cape Breton.
April 16-19, 2024 (Unama’ki – Cape Breton) Kick-Off to Tourism Training 2024
Hosted by the CBITTN and the Cape Breton Partnership, these joint sessions provided resources and support for tourism operators before the season began. They also launched various skills development and tourism-related microcredential training sessions across the island. Sessions took place at the Gaelic College, Inverness County Centre for the Arts, Maritime Inn, and the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.
February 12, 2024 (Sydney, N.S.) Launch of Tourism Study Business Cases
CBITTN launched 12 tourism-related business case studies aimed at providing educational opportunities for post-secondary students and tourism professionals. These case studies were developed with a focus on Unama’ki-Cape Breton Island.
2023
December 15, 2023 (Sydney, N.S.) Launch of Online Microcredentials
CBITTN launched a new online portal, providing individuals with access to free training. Participants who successfully completed the program earned a digital badge from CBU’s World Tourism Institute.
December 8, 2023 (Sydney, N.S.) Launch of 2023 Research
CBITTN’s Research Lead published reports on the 2023 tourism season, offering insights into visitor expectations and experiences, workforce opportunities and challenges, and operator specific data.
Reports available to view here: Tourism Research. Reports include:
2023 Summer Visitor Experience
2023 BHTM Student Survey
2023 Baille nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Visitor Experience Survey Results
2023 Baddeck Area Visitor Experience Survey Report
November 24, 2023 (Sydney, N.S.) Hospitality and Tourism Industry Job Fair
Cape Breton University hosted its annual Hospitality and Tourism Job Fair on campus, connecting employers from across Canada with students seeking employment opportunities.
November 16, 2023 (Baddeck, N.S.) Unama’ki – Cape Breton Island Tourism Summit
Hosted by Destination Cape Breton and the CBITTN, this event provided tourism operators, businesses, and key community members with engaging sessions and networking opportunities.
October 6-14, 2023 (Unama’ki – Cape Breton, N.S.) Celtic Colours International Festival
Research Support: The CBITTN facilitated student participation from the BHTM program and summer research assistants in conducting surveys for Celtic Colours International Festival. This experience allowed students to connect directly with the tourism industry and gather visitor feedback.
October 13, 2023 (Eskasoni, Iona, and Baddeck N.S.) BHTM Familiarization Tour
Two separate trips took place: one group visited Eskasoni Cultural Journeys and Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village, while the other group toured the Alexander Graham Bell NationalHistoric Site and made a stop at the Inverary Resort in Baddeck.
July 5, 2023 (Sydney, N.S.) Professional Allyship Training
CBU’s Unama’ki College and the World Tourism Institute hosted a professional allyship training session facilitated by Balsam Indigenous Reconciliation Education & Advisory for tourism members and CBU faculty and staff.
July 4, 2023 Student Research
The CBITTN hired CBU graduate students to assist in survey collection and other research activities.
June 21, 2023 (Sydney, N.S.) New Certificate Program at Cape Breton University
Cape Breton University’s Senate approved the new certificate program: Certificate in Mi’kmaw Cultural Tourism. This certificate is offered as an embedded credential meaning CBU undergraduate students can embed it within their studies of a BA, BACS, BBA, BSC, BASE, or BHTM Degree.
In addition, Senate approved the first Mi’kmaw Cultural Tourism Course, HATM1507: Mi’kmaw Cultural Tourism. This course provides an examination of Indigenous Cultural Tourism with an emphasis on Mi’kma’ki. A video series of Mi’kmaw Knowledge Keepers, representing the Seven Districts will present and discuss issues specific to Mi’kmaw Cultural Tourism.
May 17, 2023 (We’koqma’q Fire Hall, N.S.) Business & Breakfast: Let’s Talk Tourism
Hosted by the Cape Breton Partnership, the fifth edition of this event focused on allyship, collaboration, and industry support. Presenters included representatives from the Nova Scotia Tourism Enterprise Network, Cape Breton Island Tourism Training Network, and Destination Cape Breton.
April 4, 5, 13, and 14, 2023 (Unama’ki – Cape Breton, N.S.) Unama’ki – Cape Breton Job Fair Series
The CBITTN attended job fair sessions to promote industry resources, ensuring tourism operators and adjacent businesses were prepared for the season. Events took place at the Port of Sydney, Inverness Fire Hall, Louisdale Lions Club, and Inverary Resort.
March 22, 2023 (Port Hawkesbury, N.S.) State of the Strait Business Update
CBITTN participated in the 2023 event, which updated community members and businesses on key industry topics. Discussions covered economic reconciliation, labor challenges and opportunities, and upcoming projects in the region. CBITTN Project Manager Eleanor Anderson provided insights during the Labor Challenges & Opportunities Panel, highlighting industry issues and potential solutions.
These collaborative sessions were hosted by Destination Cape Breton, Labour Skills and Immigration, the Cape Breton Partnership, and the Cape Breton Island Tourism Training Network. Sessions took place at the Joan Harris Cruise Pavilion, Inverary Resort, Inverness County Centre of the Arts, and Bras d’Or Lakes Inn.
November 29, 2025 (Sydney, N.S.) CBITTN Launch Microcredentials
The CBITTN provided it’s first in-person microcredential session in Event Management for Cape Breton University students enrolled in the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program.
November 24, 2024 (Sydney, N.S.) Hospitality and Tourism Industry Job Fair
Cape Breton University hosted its annual Hospitality and Tourism Job Fair on campus. The event brought together employers from across Canada with students seeking employment opportunities.
November 22, 2022 (Sydney, N.S.) Published Research
CBITTN’s Research Lead published reports on the 2022 tourism season, offering insights into visitor expectations, experiences, and workforce opportunities and challenges.
Reports available to view here: Tourism Research. Reports include:
BHTM Student Survey
Automation for Hotels and Tourism
Fall Research Report
Cruise Ship Passenger Survey
November 8-9, 2022 (Sydney, N.S.) Reimagining the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Workforce – International Virtual Conference
This event provided an opportunity to present research on the challenges, opportunities, and solutions for reimagining the tourism and hospitality workforce. Staffing challenges in the industry were not new but were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 28, 2022 (Sydney, N.S.) CBITTN Open House
The CBU World Tourism Institute’s Cape Breton Island Tourism Training Network (CBITTN) invited faculty, guests, and industry members to learn more about the project, website launch, and a Memorandum of Understanding signing with CBU’s Shannon School of Business and Destination Cape Breton.
October 19, 2022 (Arichat, N.S.) CBITTN Launch Training
The CBITTN provided it’s first in-person skills development training session in Arichat, Nova Scotia at the Clairestone Inn. Training included Workplace Communications and Island Ambassador.
September 23, 2022 (Membertou & Louisbourg, N.S.) BHTM Familiarization Tour
Participants visited the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre and the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.
September 1, 2022 Student Research
The CBITTN hired CBU graduate students to assist in survey collection and other research activities.
June 21, 2022 (Sydney, N.S) Microcredential Development
CBITTN developed tourism-related microcredentials. The World Tourism Institute at CBU was the first department to implement and develop these in-community courses, which were offered free of charge through funding from the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program.
March 17, 2022 (Sydney, N.S.) Government of Canada Helps CBU Build Local Tourism Sector Through Enhanced Training
The Government of Canada supported tourism recovery by funding Cape Breton University’s Tourism Training Network through the Sectoral Initiatives Program. Announce by MP Mike Kelloway, the $2.24 million project focused on Indigenous tourism capacity building, developing networking opportunities, visitor and operator research, and a diverse offering of training to boost Cape Breton’s visitor experience and economy. It was one of 24 initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining skilled workers in tourism. The Sectoral Initiatives Program later merged into the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, expanding support for workforce development in key sectors. Budget 2021 allocated $1.78 billion for job creation and training, achieving pre-pandemic employment levels in 2021. Government of Canada helps Cape Breton University build local tourism sector through enhanced training.
2021
November 24, 2021 (Sydney, N.S.) Hospitality and Tourism Industry Job Fair
Cape Breton University hosted its annual Hospitality and Tourism Job Fair on campus. The event brought together employers from across Canada with students seeking employment opportunities.
2020
November 10, 2020 (Sydney, N.S) Tourism Destination Marketing & Management in a Post- COVID Cape Breton Conference
Destination Cape Breton and Cape Breton University’s World Tourism Institute (WTI) hosted a free online tourism conference on November 10, 2020, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The event provided tourism operators and communities with fact-based insights on industry recovery and opportunities. Featuring industry leaders from Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, the U.S., and the U.K., the conference included panels on economic outlook, cruise tourism, adventure tourism, events, Indigenous tourism, and culinary tourism.
2019
October 30, 2019 (Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre, N.S.) Tourism Innovator Summit
The Tourism Innovators Summit was launched to give a voice to Cape Breton tourism operators, big and small, who were innovators in the industry. The goal of the summit was to learn from each other’s experiences, network, and identify possible collaborations and future ventures. During the summit, CBU faculty members Mary Jane Morrison and Stephanie MacPherson presented insights into the redesign of CBU’s Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program and how the tourism industry helped shape the redesign.
October 18, 2019 (Unama’ki – Cape Breton, N.S.) BHTM Familiarization Tour
New Student Familiarization Tour (Fam Tour) had 103 participants, all of whom were new-to-CBU students registered in the September 2019 intake of HATM1501. Three locations include: Cabot Links, Highland Village and Eskasoni Cultural Tours, and Baddeck and Ingonish. The goal of the event was to enhance the CBU student experience while strengthening connections between CBU and the Cape Breton Island hospitality industry. The event consisted of three-day-long itineraries, each starting and ending at CBU, and designed to include at least one major accommodation facility as well as tourism icons across the island.
August 7, 2019 (Baddeck, N.S.) Launch of World Tourism Institute
Cape Breton University 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 established industry and community relationships, the WTI aimed to build upon existing collaborations to enhance tourism excellence.
