Investing in Grassroots Tourism

The province is investing half-a-million dollars to help regional tourism associations promote their local areas.

Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Rodney MacDonald announced the investment of $500,000 for the seven regional tourism industry associations today, Feb. 9. The one-time investment is in addition to annual funding already provided to each association.

"This is just one of the ways we are working to ensure tourism in Nova Scotia continues to be an important economic generator, and a competitive player in a global and competitive industry," said Mr. MacDonald. "The tourism associations represent the grassroots of our industry and work with local stakeholders on how best to attract more visitors to each region."

Each regional association will use the investment for marketing activities. The amount of the grant is determined by a mutually- agreed-to funding formula based, in part, on the population base of each region.

"This is a huge show of confidence in the partnership between our regional tourism associations and government," said Doug Fawthrop, chair of the presidents' council of the associations. "The new investment will allow our organizations to get on with the business of growing regional and provincial tourism."

Today's investment is part of the new $15-million funding announced by Mr. MacDonald in December 2004. That funding is designed to help boost Nova Scotia's tourism industry in the areas of marketing, product development, and regional tourism initiatives.

Note: The following details the investment support in 2004-05 for the seven regional tourism industry associations:

South Shore Tourism Association -- $63,000 in current annual funding plus $84,580.16 in one-time grant for a total of $147,580.16 Yarmouth County Tourist Association -- $33,000 in current annual funding plus $43,276.84 in one-time grant for a total of $76,276.84 Evangeline Trail Tourism Association -- $63,000 in current annual funding plus $85,991.22 in one-time grant for a total of $148,991.22 Central Nova Tourist Association -- $53,000 in current annual funding plus $63,282.29 in one-time grant for a total of $116,282.29 Pictou County Tourist Association -- $38,000 in current annual funding plus $43,490.39 in one-time grant for a total of $81,490.39 Destination Cape Breton -- $84,000 in current annual funding plus $120,406.14 in one-time grant for a total of $204,406.14 Antigonish-Eastern Shore Tourism Association -- $53,000 in current annual funding plus one-time grant of $58,972.26 for a total of $111,972.26

Provincewide -- $387,000 in current annual funding plus $499,999.30 in one-time grant for a total of $886,999.30