177 Photo: credit a fundraiser. Cruise guests asked to contribute. “We set up a kiosk run by high school students, where visitors could paint a rock, make a donation if they wished, and add it to the installation,” says Moreau. “It created a real connection.” The project is now awaiting confirmation of a Guinness World Record. “Guests were proud to have been part of something that left a lasting impact,” says Moreau. Baie-Comeau’s small scale enables operational agility. “We may not offer helicopter sightseeing, but what we do offer is flexibility,” says Moreau. “If a cruise line requests a bespoke tour, a themed lunch, or a distillery tasting onboard at short notice, we can make it happen. Everybody knows everyone else in Baie-Comeau, and that makes a difference.” The result, she explains, is a carefully curated shore programme. “We can personalise and customise experiences to match exactly what the cruise line is looking for.” Perhaps the most telling endorsement came from an experienced cruiser from Quebec who had completed 11 voyages worldwide. “She told us she’d initially looked at Baie-Comeau on the itinerary and wondered why the ship was stopping here,” says Moreau. “By the end of the day, she said it was one of the nicest calls she’d experienced.” For Moreau, that reaction encapsulates the destination’s appeal. “We may not be the most spectacular port on an itinerary, but we deliver a day that feels meaningful. It’s good for the soul.” Repeat business suggests the model resonates commercially too. “We have strong recurrence,” explains Moreau. “Several lines return four or even eight times per season, year after year. It’s rare for a line to call only once. I’d like to think that if they come so often, it’s because they like it.” Looking ahead, the ambition is steady, managed growth. “Cruise lines know our name,” says Moreau. “What we want them to understand now is how prepared we are to deliver an engaging and efficient experience.” “ We can personalise and customise experiences to match exactly what the cruise line is looking for”
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