Tourism Partnership Council Appoints New Members
Seven new members have been appointed to Nova Scotia's industry- led Tourism Partnership Council. They will work to ensure continued growth of Nova Scotia's tourism industry.
New board members include: Suzanne Amos, owner of Amos Pewter, Mahone Bay; Eleanor Anderson of Icon Communications & Research Inc., Sydney; Betty d'Eon, executive director of le Village historique acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse, West Pubnico; Bill Harrison, general manager, Radisson Suite Hotel, Halifax; Karen MacKay, general manager of the Rodd Grand Yarmouth, Yarmouth; Ella McQuinn of McQuinn & Company Marketing, Tantallon; and Karl Webb, owner/operator of Havenside Bed & Breakfast, Hackett's Cove.
"I am pleased to announce these new members, who are contributing valuable time and expertise to grow Nova Scotia's tourism industry," said Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald. "The council's work has been a tremendous success and is now firmly established as a way of doing business in the future."
Paul Stackhouse, general manager of the Holiday Inn Harbourview, Dartmouth, remains chair of the council, and Scott MacAulay, president of Cape Breton Resorts, continues as vice-chair.
"We're proud to welcome these new volunteers to our team," said Mr. Stackhouse. "Each new member brings experience and valuable industry knowledge to the council. Together with our current members, they make up a strong group that will continue to develop, market and showcase the best of Nova Scotia's tourism products."
The council was established in 1998 to give the private sector a voice in provincial tourism development and marketing initiatives. It has developed five successful joint marketing plans and is conducting a review of the province's visitor information services. It continues to implement long-term strategies for developing and marketing Nova Scotia's tourism strengths.
In its most challenging effort to date, the council is working with its partners, the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) and the province to implement the Vision for Tourism, which aims to increase tourism revenues by 100 per cent over the next decade.
The Tourism Partnership Council includes 14 industry leaders and two representatives of the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and Culture. Council members are recognized as industry leaders and owners, operators or senior managers of tourism-related businesses. Members are recommended by an industry-led selection committee that reviews and recommends applicants from an industry call for applications.
They will join Marsha Andrews, Department of Tourism and Culture; Charles Clerk, Island Beach Company; Heather LeBlanc, HAL Consulting Inc.; Pat Lyall, Destination Halifax; Graham MacNeil, Maritime Inns & Resorts; Doreen Malone, Neptune Theatre and Rick Young, Department of Tourism and Culture on the council.
Nova Scotia's tourism industry revenues are estimated at $1.3 billion. That revenue translates into jobs for about 34,500 Nova Scotians with an estimated 2002 payroll of $515 million. Tourism is also a significant export industry, with more than half of the money generated coming from outside the province.