Digby Area Tourism Association (DATA) has releases a draft five-year strategic plan that includes a re-brandingPublished Apr 07, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 3 minute readA view of the Western Light while hiking on the Brier Island Nature Preserve Coastal Trail in Digby County. It’s one of Digby County’s numerous beautiful lighthouses being included as one of Digby tourism’s 10 Wonders of Digby. The trail is also an important hiking and nature asset to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. TINA COMEAUThe Digby Area Tourism Association (DATA) has released a draft five-year strategic plan that will lay the groundwork for growth and prosperity for tourism in the area, including new branding – The 10 Wonders of Digby.Six months in the works, the draft Re-Imagine Digby Destination Tourism Growth Strategic Plan was released at an open house on April 3 at the Digby Legion.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We had a great turn out for our open house,” says Doug Ralph, DATA tourism development manager. “Many tourism operators, councillors for both the municipality and town of Digby and members of the general public showed up. The audience was engaged, and had lots of great questions.” People attend an open house at the Digby Legion on April 3 for the release of a draft five-year strategic plan. Six months in the works, the draft ReImagine Digby Destination Tourism Growth Strategic Plan lays the groundwork for growth and prosperity for tourism in the area including new branding-The 10 Wonders of Digby. ContributedThe presentation highlighted key findings in the 100-plus page report that lays out the groundwork needed for Digby and area to grow and prosper, says Ralph.“The plan talked about our opportunities for infrastructure growth, the creation of more experiential tourism, expanding into cruise and sports tourism, as well as our new branding, The 10 Wonders of Digby,” he says. The Digby Area Tourism Association is launching a 10 Wonders of Digby campaign to encourage visitors to the Digby region. DATA WEBSITEThe 10 Wonders of Digby are:• Scallop Capital of the World/the Scallop Fishing Fleet• Sensational Whale Watching• Bear River: Village on Stilts• Maud Lewis• The Balancing Rock• Lighthouses of Digby and Area• Brier Island Nature Conservancy Site of Canada• The Digby Gut• ‘Lights in the Forest’: Electric CityArticle content• Historic Vineyards The 10 Wonders of Digby is the new branding for tourism for the Digby area. Contributed“Everything in our five-year plan is about building on the success we already have, and creating more excitement around the things that make us who we are,” Ralph says, explaining the start of the summer campaign gets underway in April and focuses on The 10 Wonders of Digby.“We are also going to start development on some key signature experiences that we hope we can launch later this year,” he says.“We are lucky to have so many great claims to fame in the Digby area. We are the Scallop Capital of The World, home to Maud Lewis, have incredible whale watching and important coastlines. We have a rich history, and communities like no other,” adds Ralph. A Maud Lewis replica house built by Murray Ross in Seabrook, Digby County. The folk artists’ roots to Digby County are an important part of his story and the local tourism sector. Maud Lewis is being included as one of Digby Tourism’s 10 Wonders of Digby. TINA COMEAU“These are the reasons why we are pivoting our messaging to The 10 Wonders of Digby,” he says. “There is just so much to highlight. But we also want to enhance all of those reasons people continue to visit. We want to build a better Maud and scallop experience. Do more storytelling and have better interactions with our visitors.”Article contentRalph says the strategic plan identifies gaps in offerings, and opportunities to transform Digby into an even more desirable place to visit.Recommended from Editorial ‘It’s just exciting to see’: Nature Conservancy of Canada says Brier Island trail one of its greatest assets Volunteers needed for major lighthouse restoration project on Digby Neck Proposed experiential development opportunities in the plan include a Scallop-Shucking and Tasting Experience at the Digby Centre; a Bear River Historical Experience; a Maud Lewis Experience, a Brier Island Nature Conservancy Site Guided Hiking Experience; a Point Prim Ancient Seashore Experience; a European-Historic Vineyards & Apothecaries Experience in Bear River; and a ‘Lights in the Forest’ Electric City Experience in Weymouth. The community of Bear River, over lapses into both Digby and Annapolis counties, is known as the Village on Stilts, which help to protect its buildings, that jut out over the river, from the rising tides. It’s being included as one of Digby Tourism’s 10 Wonders of Digby. TINA COMEAUStrategic tourism infrastructure development suggestions in the plan include development along the Town of Digby’s Water Street; a Digby Active Transportation Network; a Digby Centre scallop-shucking experience pavilion; a master destination signage plan and other important assets such as parking, washrooms, sidewalks, boardwalks, and interpretive panels; a Maud Lewis commemorative statue; scenic lookouts, and other development “to be determined through comprehensive community consultations.”Ralph says while 2024 was a great year for the area in regards to tourism, “we want to make sure people’s experiences are even better.”Says Ralph, “So, while we do want to attract more people in the off-season, we also want to focus on giving our regular season guests even more reason to come back again.”Article content
The 10 Wonders of Digby: Everything in our five-year plan is about building on the success we already have
