Experience PEI brings home Canadian tourism award

Island tourism operators Mary and Bill Kendrick say it was very special to hear their names and accept a nationalaward for the work they do to promote P.E.I. tourism.

The owners of Experience PEI were recognized for their work at the Canadian Tourism Awards and Congress. The Kendricks received the Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-sized Business of the Year award.

"We were totally honoured," said Mary of winning the award. "As a small business owner you do the work because you love it, you don't do it for the accolades. We're very proud to bring this home to our staff and or family because long hours are put into this."

Experience PEI offers tourists the opportunity to have hands-on experiences during their visits to the Island.

Keen interest

Bill told CBC Mainstreet host Angela Walker that when the couple ran a bed and breakfast they would listen to their guests talking about their experiences during their visits.

"We realized that the visitors were keenly interested in the culture of P.E.I., the people of P.E.I., the way we do things here on the island and we were looking for a way to differentiate our bed and breakfast from all the others," said Bill.

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After Mary took part in a sustainable tourism course in Gros Morne, N.L.,and learned about experiential tourism, the idea for the new business was developed.

"It was sort of opening your eyes to what was around you and the talent in the locals and what storytellers we have and how authentic they are," said Mary.

Upon her return, Mary said she told Bill that washow they could expand their business.

The couple sold the inn and now focus on providing unique experiences to tourists with a focus on the cruise ships visitors and expansion into the motor coach tours.

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"We've been truly blessed to have more than 25 experience providers, partners across the island that we work with."

Bill said those providers give tourists the experience of digging clams, going out in a lobster boat orowning a racehorse for the night.

"We have quite a myriad of experiences. But the heart of the experiences and the true thing about experiential tourism is the ability to provide visitors with an opportunity to spend time with interesting islanders who do interesting things and have interesting stories."

Bill said their business now involves a lot of people and businesses that were never involved in tourism and he thinks this was part of the reason for winning the award.

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