Tourism Partnership Council

Nova Scotia has a new Tourism Partnership Council that will give industry a direct voice in planning and delivering the province's tourism marketing and product development programs.

The 16-member council was appointed by Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, based on recommendations from an industry-led selection committee.

Natural Resources Minister Kenneth MacAskill made the announcement today on behalf of Mr. MacDonald at the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia's annual general meeting in Baddeck.

"The people selected have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to tourism in this province," said Mr. MacAskill. "The province is pleased they've accepted the challenge of working together to build on our billion-dollar tourism industry."

The 16-member council includes 14 tourism industry owners or operators and two representatives from government. It will share decisions, responsibilities and resources in order to increase the number of visitors to Nova Scotia and the amount of money those visitors spend.

Seven industry members were selected at large and another seven were selected on a geographic basis to ensure balanced representation. All have been appointed for a two-year term.

The following individuals will represent industry on the council:

Peggy Anderson, owner of Kidston Landing, Baddeck; board member, Canadian Tourism Commission and Tourism Cape Breton; past president, Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS); member, Tourism Partnership Planning Committee and Tourism Strategy Implementation Team.

Susan Bartlett, owner of Inn on The Lake, Waverley; president, TIANS; co-chair, Tourism Marketing Strategy Group; member, Tourism Partnership Planning Committee and Tourism Strategy Implementation Team.

Doug Fawthrop, principal and managing director, White Point Beach Resort; president, South Shore Tourism Association; member, Tourism Marketing Strategy Group, Tourism Partnership Planning Committee and Tourism Strategy Implementation Team.

Victor Ferreira, regional vice-president and general manager, Hotel Halifax; member, Hotel Association of Nova Scotia and the Greater Halifax Conventions and Meetings Bureau.

Bill Hay, owner, Mastodon Ridge and Showcase Nova Scotia, Stewiacke; member, Tourism Marketing Strategy Group, Tourism Partnership Planning Committee and Central Nova Tourist Association.

Lloyd Hines, owner, Belmont Resort and Golf Course, Guysborough; warden, Municipality of the District of Guysborough; chair, Sable Community Advisory Committee; vice-chair, Antigonish Eastern Shore Tourism Association.

Lou Leith, branch manager, Budget Car and Truck Rental, Sydney; board member, Tourism Cape Breton.

Ella McQuinn, principal, McQuinn and Company Marketing, Halifax; board member, TIANS; chair, TIANS transportation committee.

David Miller, owner, McDonald's Restaurants in Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury; member, Planning Advisory Committee for the Town of Antigonish and Tourism Sector of Voluntary Planning.

Eric Mullen, managing director, Canadvac Travel Services Ltd., Caledonia; secretary/treasurer, TIANS; private-sector representative on the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership Marketing Advisory Committee; member, Air Accord Working Committee and Tourism Strategy Implementation Team.

Brian Rodney, owner, Best Western Mermaid Motel and Capri Motel, Yarmouth; chair, transportation committee of the Yarmouth County Tourist Association; past president, Yarmouth County Tourist Association.

Paul Stackhouse, general manager, Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax; director, business development, Centennial Hotels Ltd.; chair, Tourism Strategy Implementation Team; vice-president and treasurer, Hotel Association of Nova Scotia; vice-president, TIANS; member, Tourism Marketing Strategy Group and Tourism Partnership Planning Committee.

Raymond Tudor, owner, Brier Island Lodge and Restaurant, Westport, Brier Island; member, Yarmouth County Tourist Association, Evangeline Trail Tourist Association and TIANS.

Karl Webb, owner, Havenside Bed and Breakfast, Hacketts Cove; board member, TIANS; member, South Shore Tourist Association and Nova Scotia Bed and Breakfast Association.

The two government representatives are:

Michele McKenzie, executive director, Nova Scotia Marketing Agency, Economic Development and Tourism.

David Oxner, executive director, Tourism Nova Scotia, Economic Development and Tourism.

A joint committee comprising senior officials of the department and industry spent the past year reviewing options for a new partnership arrangement. The concept is well established in other provinces and at the federal level, where private-sector partners have helped to increase the amount of money available for tourism marketing and product development. A proposed structure was taken to industry and government in 11 regional meetings for input late last year.

Funding for the council's activities will be through provincial sources already dedicated to tourism as well as from private-sector contributions to joint marketing campaigns. A key role of the council will be to significantly increase the funding available for marketing the tourism industry.

The council will be staffed with existing employees at Economic Development and Tourism, and one person will be hired to perform secretariat functions.

An orientation session for new members will be held May 19 to further define roles, responsibilities and ways to seek community input into a common approach to grow the industry.

A public call for applications from those interested in serving on the council appeared in provincial and regional newspapers in January. A selection committee of three industry representatives and one government person reviewed the 45 applications and selected the members.