“Every detail was important, so we'd ask ourselves, ‘Where did that come from? Did we make it here? Did we create it here? Did we grow it here? How can we keep our money in this place? How can we keep reinvesting in this economy, keep growing this economy, creating jobs so that money stays here? And if we can't make it ourselves, then how do we learn?’”
We’re in great company with Amanda Decker Penton, who not only is an active member of Shorefast, working to ensure a resilient economic future for her native Fogo Island in Newfoundland, Canada, but she does so as Managing Director of Fogo Island Inn.
Built ten years ago to showcase Fogo Island’s predisposition towards exceptional hospitality rooted in the natural and cultural assets of this place, Fogo Island Inn is a pioneer of regenerative travel and contemporary outport Newfoundland design.
In this episode, Amanda’s genuine pride for her hometown, passion for her family and friends, persistence in preserving this sense of place, and perspective on how other global communities can learn from this wholistic approach - is like the light beaming from a lighthouse on the shore, leading us all to experience a better world.
Top Takeaways
[1:50] As a 10th generation Fogo Islander of fisher people, it was never a matter of if… it was always a question of when and how Amanda would return home.
[6:00] How an artist residency program became the catalyst for building community economies in a sustainable fashion, in service of nature and culture, people and place, through what would become Shorefast.
[9:50] “Many luxury properties have a charitable foundation. Our charitable foundation has a luxury inn.”
[19:45] It is a journey to get to Fogo Island Inn, whether by land, air, sea or likely a combination of the three, but that is all part of the experience coming upon this special sense of place.
[21:50] Fogo Island Inn is there to welcome you in with amenities abound to keep you entertained and yet they encourage you to get out to explore nature and meet the locals.
[23:20] How the design of a desk chair, backed by hundreds of years of boat making craftsmanship, is a statement piece that tells the story of the intentionality of the inn’s interior design which is at once radically contemporary and resolutely traditional.
[30:36] When dining in good company on Fogo Island, expect to savor the freshest seafood in the world from cod to crab, shrimp to scallops, lobster to ground fish - while pairing your meal with wine from other traditional fish trading partners - supporting small villages across Portugal, Spain and France.
[33:10] Soon guests of Fogo Island Inn can experience a night stay “on an island off an island”, in an original settlement dating back 500 years ago yet perfectly preserved, where the only inhabitants are a colony of puffins.
[37:10] There are seven seasons on Fogo Island - Winter, Pack Ice Season, Spring, Trap Bird Season, Summer, Berry Season, Fall - and so many ways to explore the progression of those seasons through the sights, sounds, smells, touches and tastes during your stay.
Visit For Yourself
Give the team a call at +1-709-658-7260 or +1-855-268-9277
