CHANGE GOOD FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY

Halifax, N.S. (September 19th, 2011) – TIANS applauds the announcement today of the establishment of a Special Operating Agency (SOA) for tourism in Nova Scotia.  Tourism is a 1.8 billion dollar industry generating over 35,000 jobs and over 225 million dollars in tax revenue.  Tourism holds tremendous potential for increasing revenue in the province, if we manage the business in a more strategic and focused way.  

"The SOA will allow us to strategically invest and aggressively pursue new business opportunities that will make Nova Scotia a Destination of Choice. Tourism is big business for the province and we need to operate the sector as we would any significant business," says Danny Bartlett, Chairman of TIANS.  "Every day we are competing with new tourism destinations around the world that see tourism as the panacea for their economies - consumers have choices like never before, so how we manage the sector, how we invest our dollars and how we present our destination to the world will be key to our future success," says Bartlett.

TIANS has been advocating for changes to the tourism sector and believes this new model will provide opportunities that will result in growth.  "We have been losing market share over the past number of years and our ability to compete has been affected by a number of factors," says Darlene Grant Fiander, President of TIANS.  "A new business model that is more strategic and can adapt to market changes will provide a better opportunity for economic growth throughout Nova Scotia," says Grant Fiander. 

TIANS looks forward to this new direction and being part of a new focus that will put tourism first and improve the economic benefits for all of Nova Scotia.

TIANS mandate is to lead, support, represent and advance Nova Scotia’s tourism industry.  TIANS is the provincial advocate for the Nova Scotia tourism industry and strives to enhance the industry's competitiveness and prosperity through increased professionalism and product development. In accomplishing this goal, TIANS works closely with many partners, regional and sector associations and all levels of government.

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For more information, please contact:
Ms. Darlene Grant Fiander, President
Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
2089 Maitland Street, Halifax NS B3K 2Z8
Phone:  (902) 423-4480 Toll Free: 1 800-948-4267
Fax:  (902) 422-0184   www.tians.org