Wanted: Staff to Welcome
Visitors

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--Wanted: Staff to Welcome Visitors

Looking to share your Nova Scotia expertise with visitors from around the world? How about playing the bagpipes for tourists?

These are just a couple of the more than 100 jobs Tourism Nova Scotia is looking to fill at Visitor Information Centres around the province between May and October.

In addition to qualified travel counsellors and bagpipers, Tourism Nova Scotia is looking for car counters, distribution clerks, retail clerks and maintenance workers. The deadline for applications is Jan. 31.

"We need enthusiastic Nova Scotians who will help Nova Scotia maintain our reputation for excellence in a very competitive tourism market," said David Oxner, executive director of Tourism Nova Scotia. "People who work at these centres play a key role in our tourism industry.

"Survey after survey has told us that when travellers stop at a centre, they tend to stay in the province longer. That means more revenue for businesses across the province."

More than 580,000 visitors dropped into Nova Scotia's 13 Visitor Information Centres in 1997. That's up 22 per cent over 1996. Several factors led to the increase, including longer periods of operation.

Nearly all of those surveyed at Visitor Information Centres last year found staff helpful and knowledgeable. Twenty per cent said they increased the length of their stay in the province.

At Tourism Nova Scotia's Dartmouth distribution centre, more than eight million pieces of tourism literature are sent out annually in response to marketing promotions, visitor requests and Visitor Information Centre requirements.

Suitable candidates for the positions must have leadership, communication and supervisory skills. They should also have tourism-related experience and first-aid training. Some positions require command of a second language.

Feedback from previous employees indicate a high level of satisfaction with the job. Many wrote to say they thoroughly enjoyed the time and gained a greater appreciation of the province.

Job descriptions and application forms are available at local employment centres, Access Nova Scotia centres and Business Service Centres throughout the province, university and community college employment centres, and Tourism Nova Scotia, telephone 902-424-3282 or 1-800-313-4447, e-mail: <[email protected].>

Positions are available at Visitor Information Centres in Amherst, Digby, Halifax (at airport, waterfront and downtown), Peggys Cove, Pictou/Wood Islands, Port Hastings, Yarmouth, North Sydney (on ferry), and Portland, Me. Salaries range from $6.50 to $11 an hour.