See How These Communities Use Driftscape to Boost Tourism

What do a coastal town in Alaska, a quiet Ontario village, and a French-speaking prairie region have in common?

They’re all using the Driftscape app to turn local stories into unforgettable visitor experiences.

From self-guided audio tours to gamified scavenger hunts, these communities are showing that tourism doesn’t need big budgets to make a big impact. Here’s how they’re doing it:

Carleton Place: A Mystery Tour That Sparked Local Pride

In Carleton Place, the town’s heritage and literary roots came alive through a Hardy Boys-themed scavenger hunt. Inspired by Charles Leslie McFarlane—long-time ghostwriter for the Hardy Boys series—the town launched a story-rich walking tour powered by Driftscape.

Visitors followed digital clues across murals, landmarks, and quirky small-town corners, unlocking bits of history as they progressed. The campaign drew in 1,300+ completions in just 30 days, many from local schools and families.

"We wanted something that could engage youth, showcase our history, and feel like an adventure—not a lecture. Driftscape made it easy to build and promote."

The result? A low-cost, high-engagement experience that turned quiet corners into story-rich attractions—and revived local pride in the process.

Explore the tour: Hardy Boys Scavenger Hunt

Bruce County: How Rewards Turned Exploration into a Regional Event

Bruce County went beyond a simple tour. Their campaign—Explore the Bruce Rewards—used Driftscape to turn the region into a game board.

Visitors unlocked stickers, branded swag, and digital points by checking in at locations across the county. The initiative drew over 18,000+ visits, earned a national tourism award, and did it all without adding staff.

"They listened to our feedback and tailored the platform to fit our reward system. It’s not just about tech—it’s about partnership."

The campaign boosted local business traffic, drove regional dispersal, and turned passive sightseeing into a playful challenge.

Explore the campaign: Explore Bruce County

Wikwemikong: Celebrating Indigenous Culture

On Manitoulin Island, Wikwemikong Tourism uses Driftscape to share their community's deep cultural history. Dustin Peltier, Marketing and Product Development Coordinator, says the app “makes the history and beauty of Wikwemikong more accessible to both community members and visitors.”

Their self-guided tours are a blend of language, story, and place—giving users an authentic, respectful experience with every step.

Visit Sitka: A Coastal Town Goes Offline to Boost Tourism

Located in a low-signal area, Sitka needed a way to guide visitors without Wi-Fi. With Driftscape's offline mode and AI-powered business directory, they now offer seamless exploration, no connection needed.

Since launching, they've seen over 3,200 POI views and listed more than 100 local businesses through smart automation.

Eastman Tourism: Showcasing Manitoba's Wild Beauty

Eastman used Driftscape to build a discovery tool that celebrates their natural wonders. With support from government leaders, they connected visitors to waterfalls, trails, and local legends—making it easier to wander wisely.

North Perth: Making Small Towns Magnetic

During events like Paddyfest, North Perth activated town-wide tours with 80+ businesses. The result? An economic engine disguised as a community game.

"Driftscape expands our reach to a new audience," says Kimberley Kowch, Community Development Coordinator. "It supports youth attraction and local exploration."

Blind River & Elliot Lake: Art, History, and Accessibility

Northern Ontario towns like Blind River and Elliot Lake are using Driftscape to bring public art and local heritage to life. Daniel Gagnon, CAO of Elliot Lake, puts it simply: "It’s a tour guide in your pocket."

Bonjour Manitoba: Bilingual Tourism, Simplified

With support from CDEM, Bonjour Manitoba launched a fully bilingual experience. Visitors can explore francophone heritage with audio tours and interactive content—in both official languages.

Guelph & St. Marys: Goodbye Paper Brochures

Heritage walking tours used to mean paper handouts. Now? Places like Guelph and St. Marys use Driftscape to offer immersive, GPS-powered guides that live in your pocket.

"Everything you need is in the app," says Amy Cubberly of St. Marys.

Crescent Heights BIA: Saving Paper, Driving Foot Traffic

This Calgary neighbourhood spotlighted Asian-owned businesses with gamified POIs and rewards. Result: Over 5,000 user interactions and thousands saved in print materials.

What These Stories Show

• Impact doesn’t require a massive budget.

• Local stories can become digital destinations.

• Gamification works.

• Offline tools matter in remote places.

• Language access opens new doors.

Driftscape helps towns and tourism pros do more to boost tourism with less—and make every visitor moment count.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do visitors need to download the app? Nope! App-shy visitors can use Driftscape via a browser-based experience—no download required.

2. What if we don’t have much historic content? No problem. Many partners create tours around art, shopping, nature, or even local festivals. Driftscape is flexible—it’s not just for history buffs.

3. How hard is it to set up a tour? Most communities can build and launch a basic tour in a day or two. Our support team walks you through the process step by step.

4. Is this expensive for small towns or museums? Driftscape is designed for resource-limited teams. Many partners launch impactful experiences without large budgets or added staff.

5. What makes Driftscape different from Google Maps or TripAdvisor?

Driftscape is made for tourism storytelling—think audio guides, quests, AR, and visitor data insights. It’s more than directions; it’s a journey.

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