News release

New Workshops for Tourism Managers

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

A new series of workshops on topics such as marketing, technology, quality and leadership development will help tourism business owners and managers continuously improve the quality of experiences they offer today's travellers.

The Nova Scotia Masterclass Series will be led by distinguished tourism and business professionals. The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council and Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage are sponsoring the series of workshops which begins April 2. The department is investing $18,000 in the workshops.

"Professional development for owners and managers of tourism operations is a priority in our tourism plan because we must always be improving our tourism products and services to meet customers' needs," said Len Goucher, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "These classes are an excellent opportunity for members of our industry to continue developing innovative travel experiences for our visitors."

The series includes workshops from Banff Executive Leadership, A Couple of Chicks E-marketing, the Ritz-Carleton, and the National Quality Institute. Program participants will learn from some of North America's top facilitators in leadership strategies, change management, tourism innovations, quality process and e-marketing.

"Tourism operators in Nova Scotia must continually strive to become more productive and innovative to compete in the global market," said Mary Dempster, chair of the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council. "These workshops will position tourism business managers and owners to successfully lead their organizations into new stages of growth and quality development."

The series is modeled after a similar one in Scotland. Sessions will be offered in communities across the province to accommodate rural operators. Information on these and other tourism professional development opportunities is available on the council's website at www.tourismhrc.com .

The Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council was formed in 1989. It is the co-ordinating body for human resource development in Nova Scotia's tourism industry.