Visitor Information Centres Open for Business

Nova Scotia’s provincial visitor information centres are open for business, and this year some will have a longer season.

Enthusiastic and well trained staff are providing information, promoting Nova Scotia to visitors and booking accommodations using Check In, the province’s computerized reservation and information system.

“Our visitor information centres play a key role in ensuring visitors make the most of their time in Nova Scotia,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald. “This year, we are investing additional resources to keep our centres open longer. This supports our commitment to establish Nova Scotia as a year- round, world-class destination.”

Provincial information centres are located at the Halifax International Airport, two sites in downtown Halifax (the International VIC on Barrington Street and the Red Store at Historic Properties), Amherst, Port Hastings, Pictou, Digby, Yarmouth, Peggy’s Cove and the two Nova Scotia ferry terminals in Maine -- Portland and Bar Harbour.

“Our staff have been trained for product knowledge, customer service and selling skills,” said Sharon Martin, manager of visitor services. “The training also includes product-knowledge tours for staff to experience first-hand the tourism products and sights that Nova Scotia has to offer. As a result, our travel counsellors are able to promote Nova Scotia more effectively.”

An estimated half of the people who visit visitor information centres stay longer, see more of Nova Scotia and therefore spend money, which benefits the economy.

Nova Scotia’s tourism revenues are estimated at $1.25 billion a year, which translates into jobs for more than 35,000 Nova Scotians. Tourism is also a significant export industry, with more than half of its revenue generated coming from outside the province.

Here is a list of provincially operated visitor information centres:

Red Store -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 1869 Upper Water St., Red Store, Historic Properties, Halifax, N.S. B3J 2M7. Phone: 902-424-4248. Fax: 902-424-0610.

International, Halifax -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 1595 Barrington St., Halifax, N.S. B3J 1Z7. Phone: 902-490-5961. Fax: 902-490-5973.

Airport -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, Halifax International Airport, PO Box 40, Elmsdale, N.S. B0N 1M0. Phone: 902-873-1223/1224. Fax: 902-873-4540.

Portland -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 468 Commercial St., Portland, Me. 04101. Phone: 207-772-6131. Fax: 207-761-0191.

Bar Harbour, Me. -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 37 Cottage St., Bar Harbour, Me. 04609. Phone: 207-288-9432. Fax: 207-288-0257.

Bay Ferries Terminal -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, Bay Ferries Ltd., 121 Eden St., Bar Harbour, Me. 04609. Phone: 207-288-3395. Fax: 207-288-9521.

Digby -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 237 Shore Road, Digby, N.S. B0A 1A0. Phone: 902-245-2201. Fax: 902-245-2396.

Pictou -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 350 West River Road, Pictou, N.S. B0K 1H0. Phone: 902-485-6213. Fax: 902-485- 7044.

Port Hastings -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 96 Highway 4, Port Hastings, N.S. B0E 2T0. Phone: 902-625-4201. Fax: 902-625-4085.

Yarmouth -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 228 Main St., Yarmouth, N.S. B5A 1C8. Phone: 902-742-5033. Fax: 902-742-0682.

Peggy’s Cove -- Nova Scotia Visitor Services, DeGarthe Art Gallery, Peggy’s Cove, N.S. B0J 2N0. Phone: 902-823-2253/2256. Fax: 902-823-1074.

Amherst -- Nova Scotia Visitor Information Centre, 1325 Fort Lawrence Road, 102 Highway 104, Fort Lawrence, Amherst, N.S. B4H 3N9. Phone: 902-667-8429. Fax: 902-667-0787.