South Shore Tourism Set to Release Plans for 2017 and Beyond
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
White Point, Nova Scotia – South Shore Tourism Operators Set to Release Plans for 2017 and Beyond
South Shore Tourism businesses and organizations are feeling confident about the year ahead and with good reason. 2016 was a record year for the region capturing more than 7% of the overall receipts from travelers to Nova Scotia translating to more than $187 million in economic impact. On Wednesday March 8th , the South Shore Tourism Team is inviting operators, partners and municipalities to attend a public meeting to review 2016 and offer feedback on their proposed 2017 and 2018 Co-Operative Marketing Plan for the region.
The overall vibe along the South Shore felt positive in 2016 and it was for good reason. Preliminary figures from Tourism Nova Scotia indicate that the South Shore posted a growth in room nights sold at hotels, resorts, inns and B&B’s in 2016 of over 4%. Nearly 172,000 room nights were sold with an occupancy rate growing by 3.64% over 2015 to 42%. While many of the businesses are open year round, 50% of these were realized in July, August and September.
South Shore Tourism Team members agree this is great news as they reach towards the province wide goal of achieving $4 Billion in receipts from this sector by 2024. The challenge set forth within the One Nova Scotia report is one the industry takes seriously says, Donna Hatt, Marketing Manager at White Point Beach Resort. Now entering their fourth year of working together, she says the Tourism Team and its partners came together four years ago with a singular goal to grow the economic impact of the industry in the region.
“With an inventory of over 400,000 rooms in accommodations, we have been working together to leverage our presence in Tourism Nova Scotia initiatives and collaborate as a region through the implementation of an annual plan” says Hatt noting that the real opportunity for growth rests within the months of October – June. “While we cannot underestimate the importance of summer, in the coming years we’re shifting our attention to the shoulder season months and the experiences that will attract guests from Nova Scotia of course, but more importantly from outside the province.”
In 2016 the organization developed and released a video showcasing winter along the South Shore that was received positively in social media channels. More operators are developing their own videos and photos that also showcase things to see and do outside of summer. Hatt suggests she’s never been asked if White Point was open in the summer. Steve Workman of Ross Farm agrees, “For us at Ross Farm, winter months actually offer some of the most interesting workshops and good old fashion family fun, and we’ve got capacity for welcoming more guests too.”
South Shore Tourism has been built on partnerships, those investing financially and through actions on behalf of the entire region. Angela Steeves, the General Manager at Atlantica Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre says the organization continues to work collaboratively with a number of partners including the South Shore Regional Economic Network who is developing a Tourism Strategy for the South Shore. “As an economic driver for the region, we have several South Shore Tourism members serving on the South Shore REN Tourism Committee to help shape this plan, including myself. We are looking forward to its completion and the vision it will establish for our continued growth.”
Suzy Atwood, Tourism Officer with the Municipality of Barrington says she’s looking forward to continuing to build on the successes of the South Shore Tourism Team. “Our regional efforts are based on the inclusive boundaries of the South Shore, mirroring those used by Tourism Nova Scotia in their promotions” adding, “this includes attractions, restaurants, accommodations, campgrounds, and shops collectively within Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne Counties.”
The South Shore Tourism Team consists of tourism businesses and organizations along with municipal representatives from along the South Shore. Formed following a meeting in December 2012, they have been creating and implementing an annual plan with investments from its partners.
The South Shore Tourism public meeting is set for Wednesday March 8th taking place at Queens Place Emera Centre from 1:00- 3:30pm . With an agenda that reflects on 2016, it will present a 2017 and 2018 plan that incorporates feedback received from the industry gathering in December and actions that will enable them to proceed. Tourism industry and related partners and stakeholders are all invited to attend and asked to RSVP to [email protected]
Media Contacts:
Donna Hatt[email protected]
Angela Stevens[email protected]
Suzy Atwood[email protected]
Stephen Workman[email protected]
