News Release Archive
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--Sunrise Trail Tourism Gets Boost
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Community-based tourist attractions along the Sunrise Trail are
receiving a $500,000 funding boost. Projects will enhance
cultural heritage themes and improve nature exploration along the
trail.
The funds are provided under the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION
Agreement on Economic Diversification. The trail, one of Nova
Scotia's 10 scenic travel ways, follows the coastline of the
Northumberland Shore from Amherst all the way to the Canso
Causeway. The landscape of this 450-kilometre route along the
coast is marked by numerous bays, inland roads, and spectacular
countryside.
Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate, on
behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, and Manning MacDonald, Minister of
Economic Development and Tourism, are pleased to see this project
move forward and feel that it will greatly boost tourism along
the Sunrise Trail.
"Tourism is an important economic driver in this area," said Wilf
Carter, executive director of the Cumberland Regional Economic
Development Association. "It's important that we take any
opportunity to expand the services that we can provide to attract
more visitors here."
Since the Sunrise Trail encompasses such a large area and crosses
four county lines, co-ordinating committees with representatives
from the regional development authorities and regional tourism
associations will be formed to implement this project.
The regional development authorities are community groups
responsible for promoting local economic development and are
generally made up of representatives from business, service and
community organizations. Providing their input to the Sunrise
Trail enhancement project are the Cumberland Regional Economic
Development Association, the Colchester Regional Development
Agency, the Pictou Regional Development Commission, and the
Antigonish Regional Development Authority. They will work with
the Central Nova Tourist Association, the Pictou County Tourism
Association, and the Antigonish-Eastern Shore Tourist
Association.
"It is expected that this project should help attract more
visitors who will stay longer," said Kim Dickson, executive
director of the Pictou County Tourism Association. "Instead of
the average two-day visit, we expect to see them staying four
days. That translates into an increase of $2.8 million in tourist
spending and significant spinoffs for the region."
"By working with communities to enhance and develop tourism
attractions, it is expected that local entrepreneurs will be
encouraged to start up tourism-related businesses such as
restaurants, accommodations and tour services," said John Parker,
executive director of the Antigonish Regional Development
Authority.
The Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic
Diversification is managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. on behalf of the federal
government and by Economic Development and Tourism on behalf of
the province.
-30-
Contact: Renee Field
Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-4998
E-mail: econ.fieldrd@gov.ns.ca
Julia Watt
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9304
E-mail: Jwatt@acoa.ca
ngr Nov. 25, 1997 11:05 a.m.
