News Release Archive

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--FUNDY SHORE READIES FOR ECO-TOURISM
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Visitors to Nova Scotia's Fundy Shore will have even more
opportunity to learn about and experience nature once
improvements to 10 community attractions are completed.

The Central Nova Tourist Association recently obtained provincial
funding to improve parks, hiking trails and interpretative
centres along the Glooscap Trail. Nova Scotia Economic
Development and Tourism is providing $76,485 toward the projects,
while community groups and associations will kick in $37,717.

"These projects are part of an overall provincial effort to take
advantage of the growth in the promising eco-tourism sector,"
said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and
Tourism. "We know that more and more people are seeking out ways
to learn about and observe nature. Projects like this cater to
those needs and that translates into economic benefits for all
Nova Scotians."

The projects include the establishment of the Bass River Heritage
Interpretive Park as well as improvements to the Cobequid
Interpretive Centre and the Thomas Cove Coastal Reserve. The West
Colchester Community Development Association will oversee the
work, which includes on-site signage and park area development.

The Partridge Island Hiking and Look-off, the Two Islands
Interpretive Site and the Wards Falls Hiking Trail are also part
of the mix, with the Parrsboro and District Board of Trade
playing a key role in site improvements.

Burncoat Head Park will get a viewing platform and washrooms with
the help of the East Hants Tourism Association. The association
will also oversee enhancements to the Anthony Provincial Park,
including landscaping, washrooms and interpretative signage. 

In conjunction with the Advocate District Development
Association, a development plan for Cape d'Or will be conducted.
The Londonderry Historical Park is also up for site improvements,
which will be co-ordinated through the Londonderry Historical
Society.

The new projects are part of a long-term plan initiated by the
Central Nova Tourist Association in 1992 to establish the Fundy
Shore Eco Tour between Amherst and Windsor.

"Our intent was to greatly enhance the number of visitors
attracted to the Fundy Shore by adopting a theme approach to
marketing the area," said association president Charles
McCulloch. "Since we began developing this tour, we've noticed a
steady increase in the number of visitors. We're confident the
trend will continue as more people are made aware of all that we
have to offer."

Many individuals have supervised and supported the projects over
the years, including Vince DeAdder, chair of the Fundy Shore Eco
Tour Committee. 

"We saw this as an opportunity to create jobs along the shore,"
said Mr. DeAdder. "Communities benefit from the work required to
carry out the projects. In the longer term, visitors will be
encouraged to visit and stay in the area. That means money will
be spent in the communities on services like tea-rooms, river
rafting and kayaking."

To help communities and the private sector get the most out of
their investment in tourism, Economic Development and Tourism is
hosting a workshop with the Central Nova Tourist and the
Evangeline Trail Tourism associations. The workshop, to focus on
developing and marketing the Bay of Fundy area, will be held at
the Best Western Glengarry Convention Centre in Truro on Sept.
17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the workshop,
please call Kim McNutt, Economic Development and Tourism, at
902-424-3225. 

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Contact: Angela Poirier
         Economic Development and Tourism
         902-424-1593
         E-mail: econ.poirieam@gov.ns.ca

         Charles McCulloch
         Central Nova Tourist Association
         902-893-8782

         Vince DeAdder
         Fundy Shore Eco Tour Committee
         902-662-2536

ngr                  September 4, 1997                2:55 pm