Eastern Shore Research & Development

Overview

EXA Group Canada developed a research and development framework for Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. Led by Edmar Luiz Xavier Neto through Strong Farm Destinations, the project examined how tourism could connect with the region’s businesses, communities and wider rural economy. The preparation included mapping 157 businesses and creating 18 technical-visit itineraries to organize the next stage of regional research.

The work began with the businesses and local assets behind the destination experience. Mapping helped organize the enterprise landscape, while the itineraries provided a practical structure for technical visits. A broader research framework connected these preparations with stakeholder interviews, resident perspectives, surveys, market analysis and tourism value-chain assessment. Together, these elements created a foundation for examining development opportunities in their regional context.

The challenge

Destination development requires more than identifying attractions. It depends on understanding the businesses, infrastructure, relationships and community capacity that make visitor experiences possible. The Eastern Shore project needed a clear research structure to connect tourism opportunities with local priorities. The challenge was to organize a broad regional investigation into practical steps, with useful tools for gathering and comparing information.

Our work

• Mapped 157 businesses to organize the region’s enterprise landscape and support a more detailed understanding of the destination’s local business base.
• Prepared 18 technical-visit itineraries, creating an organized approach to visiting businesses and examining tourism opportunities across the Eastern Shore.
• Designed a research framework incorporating stakeholder interviews, resident perspectives, surveys, market analysis and tourism value-chain assessment.
• Developed research questionnaires and a structured implementation plan, connecting the project’s information needs with the activities required to investigate them.

Outputs

• 157 businesses mapped as part of regional research preparation.
• 18 technical-visit itineraries prepared to support the planned fieldwork.
• Research questionnaires and an implementation framework for destination development planning.

Role

Edmar Luiz Xavier Neto led the project through EXA Group Canada and Strong Farm Destinations. The work demonstrates the firm’s ability to organize regional evidence, connect tourism with the wider rural economy and translate a destination-development ambition into a practical research and planning programme.

The project was developed in 2022 for Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. Its central contribution was the preparation of business mapping, fieldwork tools and a research structure to guide the next development decisions.