News release

New Approach to Accommodations

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

The province and tourism industry are working together to implement a new approach to ensure safe, quality accommodations for visitors to Nova Scotia.

Bill Dooks, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, announced today, Nov. 27, that a bill will be tabled in the spring to repeal the Tourist Accommodations Act, which requires accommodations properties to be licensed. Instead, properties may be rated by nationally or internationally recognized quality programs or meet minimum quality standards established by the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS).

"Our new approach ensures fairness for accommodations operators and ensures that all properties promoted in our marketing activities meet provincial safety requirements and industry standards for quality," said Mr. Dooks. "This approach is simple, reduces red tape, gives operators choice and meets consumers' needs. We are moving in this new direction in partnership with TIANS and I am confident it will be successful."

Once the act is repealed, licensing will end. There are two options for accommodations operators who choose to participate in provincial tourism marketing activities, such as the Doers and Dreamers Guide, the Check In Nova Scotia Reservation Service and novascotia.com.

They can be rated by any of the recognized rating programs such as Canada Select or the Canadian Automobile Association. More than half of Nova Scotia's licenced accommodation properties are members of recognized rating programs.

Operators who choose not to have their properties rated can participate in an industry-led quality program. The association will work with the industry to develop and lead the program, which will include a set of minimum quality standards for accommodations properties.

"TIANS is very pleased to see resolution on this issue and we believe that this solution will enable us to improve the quality of the tourism product," said Susan Tilley-Russell, chair of the association. "By assuming responsibility, the industry can ensure minimum standards are meeting consumers' needs and expectations -- this is an innovative way to develop a world-class tourism destination.

"Working in partnership with government allows us to create a competitive business environment."

All accommodations properties, even if they don't participate in provincial marketing activities, are required to comply with federal, provincial and municipal legislation related to safety and operation of a business.

"Replacing licensing with our new approach is in line with government's Better Regulation initiative to improve the business climate in Nova Scotia," said Mr. Dooks. "Making this move allows the department to focus on our mandate of promoting Nova Scotia as a tourism destination, and gives our industry the leadership role that it has said it wants to play to improve quality in our tourism product."

Mr. Dooks announced the new approach to more than 400 members of the tourism industry at the annual association Tourism Summit. He explained that government's decision was made after a thorough review of the act and regulations that began in July 2006. The review included industry consultation, consumer research, a review of best practices in other provinces and consultation with other government departments.

More information is available on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc .