Province Launches My Nova Scotia Regional Tourism Campaign

NOTE: A schedule of events follows this release.

Enthusiastic Nova Scotians will get a chance to become television stars in a regional tourism campaign, which kicks off today, March 14.

The My Nova Scotia campaign, designed to attract more visitors from the Atlantic region, will feature Nova Scotians in a television advertising promotion.

"I want to invite all Nova Scotians to take this opportunity to show their love for our beautiful province and celebrate the amazing experiences we have to offer," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "We know there are many passionate and talented people in our province, and we want them to come out and audition, and tell people from across the region why they must experience Nova Scotia for themselves."

A television commercial featuring Mr. Paris encouraging Nova Scotians to participate, begins airing today.

Auditions will launch in Yarmouth on Monday, April 4. The My Nova Scotia audition bus will travel to 14 communities across the province to find talented individuals who can express what they love most about Nova Scotia in a compelling and enthusiastic manner. Auditions will also be held at Saltscapes Expo, April 29-May 1.

Twenty-one winners will star in the television campaign, airing May 9 to Sept. 26.

"In 2010, 53 per cent of visitors to Nova Scotia came from Atlantic Canada," said Mr. Paris. "It is one of our most important markets, and the My Nova Scotia campaign is an innovative way to provide these potential visitors with compelling reasons to visit. It will help us continue to build our tourism industry and grow the economy."

Contestants can audition at any of the campaign tour stops or upload a video to novascotia.com. All videos will be available to the public on the website. The contest is open to all legal residents of Nova Scotia.

For more information, visit novascotia.com.

Following is the audition schedule:

• Yarmouth, Monday, April 4
• Liverpool, Tuesday, April 5
• Lunenburg, Tuesday, April 5
• Annapolis Royal, Wednesday, April 6
• Wolfville, Thursday, April 7
• Truro, Friday, April 8
• Amherst, Monday, April 11
• Pictou, Tuesday, April 12
• Antigonish, Tuesday, April 12
• Cheticamp, Wednesday, April 13
• Sydney, Thursday, April 14
• Port Hawkesbury, Friday, April 15
• Sheet Harbour, Saturday, April 16
• Halifax, Monday, April 18
• Saltscapes Expo Friday, April 29-Sunday, May 1