News Release Archive
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM-ACADIAN MUSIC, BUSINESS TO LOUISIANA
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Acadian meets Cajun this week when a group of Nova Scotians
arrives in Louisiana on a trade and tourism mission.
Nova Scotia's minister responsible for Acadian affairs, Allister
Surette, is leading the mission, which is organized by Economic
Development and Tourism. Nine Nova Scotia businesses and
organizations will be looking to strengthen cultural ties,
promote tourism opportunities and develop trade links with
Louisiana.
"We've done a good job promoting the cultural and historical
connections between the north and south Acadian communities,"
said Mr. Surette. "Now we want to turn awareness into increased
trade and tourism opportunities back home."
On behalf of the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia, Brian Moore
Tours of Amherst will be launching an Acadian tourism package
with the Nova Scotia Marketing Agency. The fly/drive and bus tour
packages will promote links between Acadians and Cajuns, plus
feature tours of Nova Scotia's Acadian communities, historical
sites and coming festivals.
Economic Development and Tourism and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.
are sponsoring the product launch in Lafayette and New Orleans.
One feature offered by the tours is the chance to search for an
identity. "Our Acadian package reflects Acadian culture, giving
the people of Louisiana an opportunity to come to Nova Scotia and
discover their past," said Vanessa Blanch of Brian Moore Tours.
For instance, the LeBlancs of Church Point, La., may meet their
namesakes of Church Point, N.S., said Ms. Blanch. Many Acadians
and Cajuns share family names, so it's not surprising to find
names like Boudreau or Landry in the heart of Louisiana.
The Acadian tourism product launch includes A Celebration of
Music, Nova Scotia's Years of Music campaign, which will be
introduced to an American audience in Lafayette. The two-year
promotion is designed to build on Nova Scotia's thriving music
industry and to develop a number of activities based on the rich
music and cultural traditions of the province. Nova Scotia
entertainers Natalie MacMaster and Dave MacIsaac will be
performing at an international music festival in Lafayette and
will include Nova Scotia's Years of Music launch as part of their
U.S. visit.
While cultural and tourism links will be heavily promoted during
this mission, opportunities for other business will be explored
as well. Nova Scotia companies will be looking for new markets in
diverse areas such as gift products, architectural services,
seafood and agricultural products.
Previous trade missions to Louisiana are now showing results:
- Hal Stirling of Stirling Fruit Farms of Wolfville will be in
Lafayette to complete arrangements for an agreement with Breaux
Brothers to export Nova Scotia apples.
- Mountain Gap Resort near Digby is returning to Louisiana
looking for more business. As a result of last November's
mission, four motor coach tours from Louisiana are booked for
this summer.
- Portage Technologies of Sydney has completed a contract with
the Acadian memorial centre in St. Martinsville to supply
interactive genealogical kiosks. Portage is pursuing contracts
with francophone school boards in Atlantic Canada and Louisiana
for their product.
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Contact: Linda Laffin
Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-6810
NOTE TO EDITORS: Pour version francaise: appeler 1-800-670-4357
ou 902-424-4492.
trp Apr. 29, 1997 - 10 a.m.
