Tourism Projects Receive Boost From Province

Another tourism season is just around the corner and the province is gearing up by providing a financial boost to several tourism projects. The investments will help enhance interpretation signage at hiking and birding sites, develop costumes and animation programs for heritage sites and encourage industry growth.

A total of $128,611 will support 12 tourism projects across Nova Scotia under the province's Tourism Development Investment Fund.

"As we get set to welcome another tourism season, we continue to work hard to improve all aspects of our industry," said Tourism Minister Rodney MacDonald. "We have a lot to offer our visitors. But we must remain competitive. We must continue to grow and make improvements. That's what these projects are doing."

One of the organizations receiving support is Le Reveil de Pombcoup, which has a sub-committee organizing the 350th Anniversary of Pubnico."This is the kind of support that our organization needs to continue its efforts to create a unique experience for visitors," said Betty d'Eon, co-president of the committee. "This is a long-term project that will attract more and more visitors to our region, especially over the next few years."

The committee is receiving $15,000 to develop 200 costumes that will be used for re-enactment activities associated with Pubnico's anniversary. Under the Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on Official Languages, the Office of Acadian Affairs also contributed $15,000 to this project in partnership with the federal Department of Canadian Heritage.

"The province is pleased to support the community of Pubnico in its 350th anniversary celebrations," said Neil LeBlanc, minister responsible for the Office of Acadian Affairs. "Since the costumes will be used in the years to come, we will see the result of our investment for a long time."

Project partners from the tourism industry, community and other levels of government invested an additional $400,000 in the 12 projects.

Over the last year, the Tourism Development Investment Fund has invested more than $541,000 in 43 projects throughout Nova Scotia.

"Our development program focuses on enhancing the strengths we already have," said Scott MacAulay, chair of the Tourism Partnership Council's product development committee. "We need to offer visitors a high quality experience so their expectations are not only met, but surpassed. This will keep our visitors coming back again and again."

Tourism development will be the focus of an upcoming workshop hosted by the Tourism Partnership Council. The workshop takes place on Wednesday, April 16. For more information on this workshop or the department's tourism programs call 902-424-3908 or visit the Tourism Partnership Council Web site, at www.nstpc.com .

Nova Scotia's billion-dollar tourism industry translates into jobs for more than 34,500 Nova Scotians. Tourism is also a significant export industry, with more than half of the money generated coming from outside the province.

Note: Following are the 12 selected projects:
-- Kings Community Economic Development will receive $15,000 to create a pavilion for birdwatching and enhance an existing facility that accommodates groups and bus tours.

• South Shore Tourism Association will receive $5,000 to help with costs associated with a birding conference.

• Guysborough County Regional Development Authority will use $3,372 to bring a facilitator to Canso to assist with the development of a strategic tourism plan.

• Le Reveil de Pombcoup will receive $15,000 from the Department of Tourism and Culture to develop 200 costumes that will be used for re-enactment activities associated with the 350th anniversary of Pubnico. Under the Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on Official Languages, the Office of Acadian Affairs also contributed $15,000 to this project in partnership with the federal Department of Canadian Heritage.

• The Town of Clark's Harbour will receive $10,500 to enhance its existing heritage tour and create a living history tour with costume animation.

• Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens will receive $28,500 for improvements throughout the gardens including new costumed animators and new programming.

• Kenomee Trails Society will receive $5,000 for signage and parking lot upgrades for the Thomas' Cove and Economy Falls trails in Colchester County.

• Tangier Gold Mine Historical Society on the Eastern Shore will receive $2,500 to create an interpretive panel describing the historic visit of Prince Alfred and the area's gold mining history.

• The West House Society will receive $36,189 to create new exhibits and enhance existing ones at the Rossignol Cultural Centre in Liverpool. The money will also help enhance visitor services and landscaping and create a multi-cultural interactive exhibit on the centre's grounds.

• Guysborough County Regional Development Association will receive $500 to put on a workshop that will encourage business development in adventure tourism.

• The Town of Lunenburg will receive $3,050 for costumes for the Town's 250th anniversary re-enactment event.

• Cape Breton Ventures Inc. will receive $4,000 to develop promotional kits to solicit corporate sponsorship to finance the development of the Bras d'Or Lakes Aquarium & Marine Research.