Province to Protect Rural Jobs

Resorts in the communities of Liscomb Mills, Digby and Ingonish will continue to operate through the 2013 tourism season, protecting good rural jobs and preserving important tourism attractions.

The province is extending the New Castle Hotels and Resorts management contract for Liscombe Lodge Resort and Conference Centre, Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, and Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa until January 2014.

"The Signature Resorts are important to our communities, our tourism industry, and our provincial economy," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "We are extending the contract to promote quality visitor experiences for the 2013 season and to make the resorts attractive to potential buyers."

The province issued a request for proposals earlier this spring for those interested in acquiring Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa in Digby and Liscombe Lodge Resort and Conference Centre in Liscombe Mills, Guysborough Co. The process was unsuccessful in finding a suitable buyer.

"We will continue working with the communities that depend on these resorts and the tourism industry, to look at a long-term solution to ensure the resorts remain significant economic and employment generators in these rural areas," said Mr. Paris.

New Castle Hotels and Resorts, based in Shelton, Conn., operates 29 properties including the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax, the Hampton Inn in Dartmouth, the Residence Inn in Moncton and the Algonquin Resort in Saint Andrews. New Castle Hotels has been managing Nova Scotia's Signature Resorts since 2002.

"Our company and the provincial government have been partners since 2002. We are pleased that we will continue to manage the three resorts and look forward to the 2013 tourism season," said Guido Kerpel, vice-president Canadian region, New Castle Hotels and Resorts.

The province owns the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa and Liscombe Lodge Resort and Conference Centre. Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa sits on federal land in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It is operated and maintained by the province under a long-term agreement with the government of Canada.

"I would like to thank the province for continuing to recognize the important of these resorts to Nova Scotia," said Digby Mayor Ben Cleveland. "The Digby Pines Resort and Spa remains one of Digby's largest employers and contributor to the local economy. We look forward to working with the province to secure the future for what has been called the Jewel of the Valley."

Information about Nova Scotia's Signature Resorts can be found at www.signatureresorts.com.