Discover Toronto’s Hidden Stories with a Travel Storytelling App

You don’t need to be a historian to tell great stories—sometimes, you just need the right tool.

That’s exactly what Cooks Bay Marina discovered when they partnered with Driftscape to launch two self-guided, story-driven tours across Downtown Toronto and the Toronto Waterfront.

With a focus on travel storytelling, this partnership turned mobile phones into digital tour guides, giving locals and visitors the power to uncover Toronto’s best-kept secrets on their own time.

Two Immersive Tours, One Powerful App

With the Driftscape travel storytelling app, Cooks Bay Marina created:

Downtown Toronto Tour

From the Bata Shoe Museum to St. Lawrence Market, this self-guided tour leads visitors through some of Toronto’s most iconic (and surprising) cultural landmarks. Discover stops like:

• The Hockey Hall of Fame

• Clarence Square

• And other must-see local favourites

Each stop shares rich stories through photos, history, and local insights—perfect for curious minds who want more than a selfie.

Toronto Waterfront Tour

Toronto’s shoreline holds centuries of history—once bustling ports, now serene escapes. The Waterfront Tour blends modern hangouts with historic sites, offering:

• Hidden picnic spots

• Serene viewpoints

• Tales of shipwrecks and lakefront legends

Whether you're walking the path or viewing from the dock, it’s a powerful way to engage with the city’s natural beauty.

Why This Matters for Destination Marketing

This isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a model that other tourism professionals can replicate. With Driftscape, Cooks Bay Marina:

• Created immersive tours without tech expertise

• Helped visitors explore beyond the obvious

• Delivered stories through a travel storytelling app accessible on any device

And the best part? It works both as an on-site guide and a couch-surfing teaser for future travellers.

What Tourism Pros Can Learn

Key Takeaways:

• Storytelling drives exploration. When you turn a destination into a narrative, people spend more time engaging.

• Mobile matters. 60%+ of travellers use apps to plan trips. You should be on one.

• Digital boosts loyalty. Even locals love discovering things they’ve missed—this helps you serve both tourists and residents.

FAQ: Travel Storytelling App Edition

1. What’s a travel storytelling app? It’s a mobile platform that delivers stories, tours, and points of interest in an engaging way, using GPS, images, audio, and video.

2. Do I need special tech skills to build tours? Nope! If you can upload a photo and write a description, you can publish a tour in Driftscape.

3. Can this support tourism outside of Toronto? Absolutely. From small towns like Carleton Place to remote places like Sitka, travel storytelling works anywhere there’s a story to tell.

4. Will people actually use this? Yes—Carleton Place logged over 1,300 tour completions in a month, and Thunder Bay saw a 1000% increase in engagement on a Halloween tour.

5. Is there a cost-effective option? Driftscape offers scalable packages tailored to different destination sizes. It’s more affordable than print in the long run.

Ready to Tell Your City’s Story?

Cooks Bay Marina’s tours are proof that a small idea—with the right app—can have a big impact.

Explore how your town or organization can turn hidden gems into must-visit stories with a travel storytelling app like Driftscape.

Book a Demo to start your journey.