Cat Show Draws Impressive Results

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--Cat Show Draws Impressive Results

• ---------------------------------------------------------------One of the largest Canadian tourism industry promotions in the United States drew overwhelming results as more than 18,000 New Englanders visited a unique floating travel show aboard the Cat ferry in Boston this past weekend.

"We're extremely pleased with the results of this promotion," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "New England is Nova Scotia's most important U.S. tourism market and this promotion did a great deal to increase the awareness of Nova Scotia at an important decision-making time for visitors.

"Media coverage in both major papers, on radio and on the ABC and NBC affiliates in Boston focused on Nova Scotia and the ship. All 178 participants did an outstanding job of displaying all that Nova Scotia has to offer the New England market."

The promotion was "docked" adjacent to the USS Constitution at the Charlestown navy hard in Boston National Historical Park. Visitors, some waiting in lines for more than an hour to tour the Cat and visit the travel trade show on board, were greeted and had their questions answered by costumed animators from the Halifax Citadel, Fortress of Louisbourg and Port Royal as well as by four Mounties.

Dockside, visitors viewed a 20-minute audio-visual presentation and had the opportunity to interact with historical animators and enjoy live music provided by some of Nova Scotia's young entertainers. Natalie MacMaster, Cape Breton's fiddling sensation, made a special appearance and played both weekend dates with the full entertainment contingent. Ms. MacMaster was in town to visit friends who were part of the promotion.

Doug Fawthrop is chair of the Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council and as innkeeper of White Point Beach Resort had an exhibit in the travel show.

"This promotion attracted thousands of people with a genuine interest in Nova Scotia as a destination --many of whom were drawn to visit us by the lure of this ship," he said. "The unique combination of the Cat, Nova Scotia, live music and the cross-section of attractions, accommodations and activities that our tourism industry demonstrated during the travel show made for an event that piqued the attention of the market."

Partners in the promotion were Nova Scotia, Bay Ferries, the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership, Enterprise Cape Breton Corp., Nova Scotia's Celebration of Music program and Prince Edward Island.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Electronic photos of the promotion area are available by calling Moira MacDonald at either of the above numbers.