What is the 'Elevate' Tourism Program?
Turn what you do into a visitor experience people will seek out, remember and pay for.
The Sunshine Coast Elevate Tourism Program is a hands-on experience development program for Sunshine Coast-qathet area based arts, culture and wellness businesses and organizations. It will help a small cohort strengthen an existing visitor experience—or develop a new one—so it is more distinctive, market-ready, bookable and valuable to both visitors and the business.
Only 6–8 participants will be selected for this highly supported program, delivered by experience-development specialists Firecircle. Participation is sponsored by Sunshine Coast Tourism, Destination BC, and the Vancouver, Coast, & Mountains Tourism Region, representing more than $5,000 value in training, coaching and support per participating business.
Interested? Watch Program Information Webinar to learn more
Watch our Information Webinar to learn more about the program, who should apply and what participating businesses can expect. This webinar will be recorded and linked here afterwards for anyone unable to attend the live webinar.
INFORMATION WEBINAR
Program Details - What you will work on:
Over the program, you will develop a practical plan for a new or enhanced tourism experience: something visitors can understand, book, recommend and enjoy.
With group workshops, peer learning and one-to-one mentorship, participants will work on areas such as:
- Defining the experience and what makes it worth choosing
- Creating a memorable, high-quality visitor journey
- Identifying the right guests and strengthening your story
- Designing for pricing, value and profitability
- Developing operational and delivery plans
- Creating a clear, bookable experience summary
- Preparing a concise business pitch for your experience
- Exploring ways to build demand beyond the summer peak
The outcome is not simply an idea. Participants will leave with a more fully developed experience, the tools to bring it to market, and a stronger foundation for future growth.
Who should apply?
This program is for Sunshine Coast-qathet area businesses and organizations with something meaningful to share with visitors and the commitment to turn it into an exceptional tourism experience.
You do not need to be a traditional tour operator. We welcome applications from, for example:
- Artists, makers, studios and galleries
- Indigenous tourism experiences and businesses
- Cultural organizations, museums and heritage sites
- Wellness practitioners, retreat providers and accommodation operators
- Culinary businesses, farms and food producers
- Attractions, venues and festival organizers
- Other businesses with a compelling place-based story, setting, product or expertise
You may already offer a visitor experience and want to make it more distinctive, polished or profitable. Or you may have a strong idea that could become a new bookable experience.
Priority will be given to businesses that are visitor-ready or market-ready—or are well positioned to get there quickly—and that can commit time and decision-making authority to the program.
Who are we designing for?
The program will help participants appeal to higher-value visitors who are drawn to authentic places, meaningful culture, wellness, learning, exceptional food and knowledgeable hosts. These travellers are willing to spend for experiences that feel distinctive, well considered and worth travelling for.
The goal of the program is to elevate tourism business and enhance experiences to align with The Infinite Coast Destination Development Strategy and attract the Refined Globetrotters traveller segment – travellers motivated by world-class destinations, fine dining, and the history and authentic charm of new places – and other visitors to the area.
Program commitment and key dates
Selected participants must be able to take part in all three workshops and continue developing their experience with mentorship through March 2027.
| Date |
Program activity |
| September 21–October 9, 2026 |
Applications open |
| - |
Information webinar - Watch the Recording |
| October 9, 2026 |
Applications close at 5:00 p.m. Pacific |
| October 14, 2026 |
Cohort selected and Participants notified |
| October 28, 2026 |
Full Day (9-5pm) Workshop 1 — in person, Sunshine Coast |
| November 12, 2026 |
Full Day (9-5pm) Workshop 2 — live virtual session |
| November 17, 2026 |
Full Day (9-5pm) Workshop 3 — live virtual session |
| November 2026–March 2027 |
One-to-one virtual mentorship and experience development |
| Mid-March 2027 |
Participant experience presentations |
Program fee and scholarships
Selected participants will pay a $199 program fee upon confirmation of their place in the cohort.
The fee reflects the commitment required to get the most from this intensive program, which includes three workshops, personalized mentorship, practical tools and support to develop/grow a bookable visitor experience.
We do not want cost to prevent a business or organization from taking part. A limited number of scholarships are available for applicants for whom the fee would be a barrier, including underserved groups and others facing financial barriers. Applicants may request a scholarship in the application form; this request will not affect the assessment of their application.
Completion benefit
Participants who successfully complete the full Elevate program may choose one of the following:
- A full refund of their $199 program fee; or
- A $199 credit toward Firecircle’s optional Export READI™ Online program, which supports the next step toward export readiness.
In addition, businesses that complete the program will receive up to $1,000 in-kind marketing support from Sunshine Coast Tourism to help bring their new or enhanced experience to market. This in-kind support is not a cash grant, and may include certain types of services such as promotion on social media, inclusion in a seasonal marketing campaign, feature consideration for website, editorial, or newsletter content, consideration for inclusion in a familiarization tour, or other services.
