ACTA recognizes a series of business and operational values that are aimed to guide Alberta’s culinary tourism industry. By meeting and achieving these values in day-to-day business and operational practices, Alberta’s culinary industry has the opportunity to raise expectations and delivery of culinary experiences to the millions of tourists who enjoy Alberta’s hospitality every year.
Basic Business Criteria
Culinary tourism experiences in Alberta should:
- Have easy access (entrances etc.);
- Have proper signage (from the highway and on-site);
- Have proper licensing;
- Have proper insurance;
- Be clean & sage for public consumption;
- Have regular business hours or at least visitation by appointment;
- Be open to the public;
- Have their business name clearly visible on-site;
- Have clear and discoverable directions via websites, brochures, or other sources;
- Strive to make experiences accessible to all abilities.
Commitment to Partnerships
Culinary tourism experiences should be members of, or collaborate/partner with the following types of organizations and groups in Alberta:
- Applicable membership groups (i.e. farmers’ market associations);
- Applicable integrated industry groups (i.e. Dine Alberta);
- Educational institutions (i.e. primary, secondary, post-secondary, continuing education);
- Primary industry producers (for service providers);
- Service providers (for primary industry producers).
Quality & Purity Assurance
Alberta’s culinary tourism experiences should be able to assure quality and purity to consumers by:
- Committing to use pure ingredients (no artificial colours, sweeteners, hormones etc);
- Using and promoting Alberta-grown and Alberta-made products as much as possible;
- Employing sustainable business practices that benefit the environment and community.
Focus on Creating Unique & Memorable Experiences
Culinary tourism experiences should foster the creation of unique & memorable encounters with tourists by:
- Identifying at least one, and striving for multiple, unique and memorable element(s) of experience;
- Identifying local sentiment and feelings towards the experience;
- Promoting and supporting staff training to deliver quality service.
Dedication to Consumer Education
Alberta’s culinary tourism experiences should show dedication to consumer (tourist) education by:
- Developing menu messaging and other consumer information tools;
- Embracing and sharing the story and character of the experience with guests;
- Creating tools to educate consumers about Alberta food and drink in engaging and innovative ways.