Visitor Information Centre Opens

Pictou County is home to Nova Scotia's newest provincial visitor information centre. Tourism industry representatives and staff will participate in the official opening this evening.

"Our centres provide an important service to visitors and support to the industry," said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. "This new centre is an investment in Pictou County tourism and the province as a whole. And the need was clear, given the growth in visitor numbers."

The number of visitors to the old centre increased by 50 per cent in 1998, jumping to 46,000. The centre was no longer able to handle visitor volumes and provide the quality services required.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works was involved with the construction of the new winterized centre, which features new work stations, computerized reservation and information capability, and a visitor gift shop. It has been operational since late May.

The Pictou County Tourist Association is also involved with the centre, providing staff as well as overseeing the operation of the gift shop, a showcase for local arts and crafts.

"Tourism receipts in 1998 generated $41 million into the local economy in Pictou County," said Kimberly Dickson, executive director with the association. "Visitor information centres are such an important component to growing our tourism industry. This vibrant new facility, here at one of the major entry points to Nova Scotia, will create a very positive first impression for our area and our province."

Pictou Recreation, Tourism and Culture also has a summer student on hand to promote activities in the Town of Pictou and Pictou County. "It's really exciting to have the new building with its new design. The fact that it's winterized now provides the opportunity to use the building year round. This will help to extend the tourism season," said Denise Martell, marketing and special events co-ordinator with the organization.

"With these new staffing arrangements, we're now fully integrated with the community and the area," said David Oxner, executive director of Tourism Nova Scotia. "The centre is also a prototype for a new look in our centres, incorporating bold, colour interior and exterior highlights drawn from the colours in the Nova Scotia flag."

The province's visitor information centres are located in Amherst, Digby, Halifax (International Airport, waterfront and downtown), Peggy's Cove, Pictou-Wood Islands, Port Hastings, Portland, Maine, Yarmouth and North Sydney. The province also maintains a presence on ferries from New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland.

This year to date, the number of tourists visiting information centres is up 14 per cent over the same period last year. "Studies indicate that a visitor who receives counselling at information centres will, on average, spend 11 per cent more in that destination than a visitor who does not," added Mr. Oxner.

Nova Scotia's $1.1 billion tourism industry supports jobs for some 33,800 Nova Scotians, with a payroll of about $430 million. More than half of the billion-dollar revenue comes from outside the province, making tourism a significant export industry. Last year's performance also added up to $105 million in provincial and municipal tax revenue.

NOTE: For broadcast use.

Pictou County is home to Nova Scotia's newest provincial

visitor information centre.

Tourism industry representatives and staff will participate

in the official opening this evening.

The new centre was needed to deal with the increase in

visitor numbers.

Last year the number of visitors to the old centre climbed

50 per cent over the year before, jumping to 46,000.

The new winterized centre is equipped with new technology

and a visitor gift shop.