New Tourism Partnership Council Members in Place
Nova Scotia's Tourism Partnership Council has appointed four new members to help develop, market and showcase the best of Nova Scotia's tourism products.
The new volunteers include: Nicholas Carson, general manager, Prince George Hotel, Halifax; Stefi Davies, owner, Yogi Bear's Holiday Haven Camp Resort, Annapolis Valley; Donald Gunn, operator and president, Stonehame Farm Ltd. and owner of Stonehame Chalets, Pictou County; and Scott MacAulay, owner and operator, Inverary Resort, Dundee Resort, Ceilidh Country Lodge and Glenghorn Beach Resort and partner, Bell Bay Golf Club and the Highland Heights Inn, Cape Breton.
"We're pleased to welcome these new members to our team," said council chair Doug Fawthrop, managing director of White Point Beach Resort. "They bring a wealth of experience and a variety of perspectives to the table and we look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead."
The council is a successful model of industry and government working together to increase tourist visits and dollars spent. Since its establishment two years ago, the council has three successful marketing plans behind it and a fourth in the works. The council is also busy on other fronts, including the development of a new long-term strategy for the tourism sector in Nova Scotia.
"I would like to thank these individuals who are willing to volunteer their time to help Nova Scotia capitalize on a growing sector of our economy," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "Our government has made a commitment to strengthen the Tourism Partnership Council. Together, we are working more closely than ever before with many successes behind us and new opportunities ahead."
The council, established in May 1998, includes 14 industry leaders and two representatives from Nova Scotia Tourism and Culture. The team plans and delivers provincial tourism marketing and product development programs. The mission is to increase tourism visitation and receipts by sharing decisions, responsibilities and resources.
An industry-led selection committee reviewed and recommended applicants from a public call for applications. Council members are expected to serve for two years. In November, the council will be seeking additional members to fill upcoming vacancies. Members of the council should be recognized as industry leaders and owners or operators of tourism-related businesses and bring a province-wide perspective to the table.
The revenue generated from tourism translates into jobs for some 36,000 Nova Scotians with an estimated 1999 payroll of more than $490 million. Tourism is also a significant export industry, with more than half of the money generated coming from outside the province.