Leaf Line Part of Tourism Campaign

Starting Thursday, Sept. 17, travellers and Nova Scotians alike will be able to call and receive up-to-date reports on autumn leaf colour throughout the province. The foliage reports are part of a new Autumn Leaf Watch program by Tourism Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History to promote scenic touring in the fall.

"Keeping Nova Scotia open year-round is critical to the success of our tourism industry," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "This project is one of many under way to help extend the season for operators throughout the province."

The $40,000 project includes a toll-free leaf report phone line, a fall foliage brochure that identifies many spectacular viewing vistas around the province, and a webpage on the government's Virtual Nova Scotia site.

Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison said learning vacations represent the fastest-growing sector of the tourism market. "Our autumn leaves paint a canvass we look forward to viewing year after year," Mr. Harrison said. "Likewise, our museums play an important role in the learning-vacation market -- they provide the content and information, making nature and heritage more meaningful to Nova Scotians and visitors alike."

The leaf line and the brochure will highlight a variety of habitats, said project co-ordinator Deannie Sullivan Fraser. "We'll be featuring everything from the striking orange-yellow maple hills, to the brilliant reds of the blueberry fields, to the subtle yellows of bogs and salt marshes."

Beginning Thursday, people calling 1-877-353-LEAF (5323) from anywhere in North America will receive weekly updates of Nova Scotia's fall foliage and colour progress. A network of volunteer leaf watchers, naturalists and field biologists throughout the province will be providing the information until the end of October.

The Tourism Partnership Council is organizing other activities to encourage scenic travel in the fall, said Doug Fawthrop, chair of the council and managing director of White Point Beach Resort.

"We're overseeing a fall provincial tourism marketing campaign that includes new television commercials and print advertisements for the Atlantic region," said Mr. Fawthrop. "Newspaper ads are also running in Ontario and New England."

A new Great Fall Discoveries booklet also features more than 40 fall getaway packages on everything from cruises and golf to retreats and theatre. People calling in response to Nova Scotia tourism ads will receive the new getaway booklet, along with a Nova Scotia Doers and Dreamers Guide. The Great Fall Discoveries booklet is also being mailed to several thousand people who inquired about Nova Scotia earlier this year.