Minister Announces New Governance Model for Tourism

NOTE: A list of interim board members follows this release.

Nova Scotia's tourism industry will be guided by a new collaboration between industry and government.

The province is establishing a special operating agency to more involve tourism operators and experts in developing and implementing a long-term tourism strategy.

Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, made the announcement with Danny Bartlett, chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, today, Sept. 19, at Halifax Stanfield International Airport.

"Nova Scotians recognize that tourism is an important economic driver for the province, affecting every region," said Mr. Paris. "We must do everything we can to ensure the sector is reaching its greatest potential in a highly competitive global market. Working together with industry, we will promote innovation and competitiveness as part of government's jobsHere plan to grow our economy."

The Nova Scotia Tourism Agency will fall under the authority of the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. The new Nova Scotia Tourism Agency's strategic direction will be shaped by an industry board and led by a CEO, who will report to the deputy minister.

Members of the province's tourism industry attended the announcement.

"The special operating agency will allow us to strategically invest and aggressively pursue new business opportunities that will make Nova Scotia a destination of choice," said Mr. Bartlett. "Tourism is big business for the province and we need to operate the sector as we would any significant business."

Many jurisdictions throughout Canada have adopted a public-private partnership for tourism, allowing industry to be more flexible and market driven.

"We have consulted extensively with our partners to review the tourism governance model," said Mr. Paris. "We have done the research, and we believe a special operating agency is the best way for government and industry to work more closely in partnership to become more strategic."

An interim board has been appointed by the minister, including chair, Tom Ruth, president and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority.

A national executive search for a CEO of the tourism agency will begin immediately.

Tourism is an important contributor to Nova Scotia's economy. In 2008, the industry directly employed more than 22,000 people and generated revenues of $1.82 billion.

Following is a list of industry board members for the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency.

• Tom Ruth (Chair): Mr. Ruth is president and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority.
• Scott MacAulay (vice-chair): Mr. MacAulay is CEO of Cape Breton Resorts
• Judy Saunders: Ms. Saunders is general manager of Old Orchard Inn.
• Don Mingo: Mr. Mingo is president of Maritime Inns and Resorts
• Danny Barlett: Mr. Bartlett is vice-president of Finance of Bay Ferries and chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia.
• Sandra McKenzie: Ms. McKenzie is acting deputy minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.