Volunteers for Tourism Council

An industry-led Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council is one step closer to reality now that a selection committee is seeking volunteers.

The council will include 14 industry leaders and two representatives from government. The group will plan and deliver Nova Scotia's tourism marketing and product development programs. The intent, through the industry's sharing of decisions, responsibilities and resources, is to increase the number of visitors to Nova Scotia and the amount they spend.

A joint committee spent the past year gathering input and reviewing partnerships in other provinces. It then set out to work on a made-in-Nova Scotia solution.

"We've made a lot of progress together," said Peggy Anderson, owner of Kidston Landing in Baddeck and co-chair of the joint committee. "Now we need some energetic people to take us to the next step."

Although the industry always worked with government on different projects, "there was never any sense that the industry was able to participate with government as an equal partner," said Ms. Anderson. "We believe that will change now that a council will be in place -- one that is industry-led and empowered to make decisions."

Ms. Anderson points out that the role of the Tourism Partnership Council is to focus on the big picture. "That is, to think globally and well beyond our own borders. By concentrating on a global vision and working more closely together, we will increase our tourism receipts and visitation in the province for the benefit of all Nova Scotians."

The group travelled the province to gather input on the new structure. "Throughout the process, one thing remained clear. And that was the commitment expressed by all players to work together, to commit resources and to invest time in making this new council work," said David Oxner, Tourism Nova Scotia's executive director and committee co-chair.

"Frankly, a lot of goodwill and hard work have gone into this process," said Bill Hay, president of Mastadon Ridge Development and a member of the committee. "We have great momentum going, but we all have to work hard at the community level to sustain that."

Funding for the council's activities will be through provincial sources already dedicated to tourism as well as by private-sector contributions through partnership marketing buy-ins. The council will be staffed with existing employees at Economic Development and Tourism.

The selection committee is now looking for industry leaders with the ability to see the broader picture. Members will be appointed for two years from a list of applicants and based on recommendations from a selection committee. The selection committee consists of three tourism industry representatives and one representative from Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism.

Applicants are encouraged to submit a resume outlining their qualifications and relevant experience, with a covering letter, to: Secretary to the Executive Council, P.O. Box 2125, One Government Place, 1700 Granville St., Halifax, N.S., B3J 3N7. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 1998.

For additional information, please contact Peggy Tibbo-Cameron, Tourism Strategy, at 902-424-0048, fax 902-424-0723, or e-mail [email protected]