Industry News

InTouch - May 2012

Bulletin from the Chair of the Interim Board of the NSTA. As we move towards putting the final steps in place to formally establish the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency (NSTA), I’d like to provide you with another update.  

Citadel Halifax Hotel Redevelopment Plans 

TIANS recently attended an information session presented by Steve Giblin, President and CEO of Silver Birch Hotels & Resorts at the Citadel Halifax Hotel outlining their redevelopment plans for the site. The fully-funded, $60-million development will include two 13-storey, hotel towers with a total of 278 rooms and an adjacent 130-unit apartment building which will be owned by GWL Realty. The project also includes conference space, street-level retail shops, an independent restaurant and a parkade. The plans were designed to meet HRM by Design development guidelines, including Citadel Hill view-plane and street setback provisions. Mr. Giblin believes that the new design will better meet the current and future needs of travelers and residents of the area. The property will close January 17, 2012 to begin the work which is estimated to take up to 18 months to complete. To learn more about the project please click visit www.citadelhotelmakeover.ca

Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores Association 

The Pictou County Tourist Association (PCTA) and the Antigonish Eastern Shore Tourist Association (AESTA) are pleased to officially announce the creation of the new destination marketing organization, Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores Association (DEANS). DEANS will combine the marketing energies of both associations and open new opportunities for innovative marketing of the region's diverse tourism offerings. For more information, please click here.

International Award For Cape Breton Important For The Province 

In July Travel and Leisure magazine featured Cape Breton in their 2011 "World's Best" Awards. The island was ranked number one in North America, and number three on the list of top ten islands overall. Readers of the travel publication voted Cape Breton ahead of such popular international destinations as the Great Barrier Reef Islands and Sicily. It also ranked above other well established locations such as Vancouver Island and Nantucket for the top spot. To view TIANS media release, please click here.

New program launches to assist bar industry and patrons 

The Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia (RANS) held a press conference on Tuesday, September 27th, to announce a new program for bar owners and patrons. The PASS (Patron Accountability Safety and Service) program, launched with the support of Halifax Regional Police, aims to curb the stigma of drinking related issues and violence currently attached to the bar industry in Halifax. For more information, please click here.

Encore at Inn on the Lake Deserves and Encore 

An evening trip to the airport to pick up Kath gave BJ and me the perfect excuse to stop on the way for supper at Encore, one of the restaurants at Inn on the Lake. Except in the summer, when a poolside patio operates, there are two dining choices at the hotel, a gastro pub called Oliver's, with items like duck confit, mac 'n' cheese and bangers 'n' mash made with chicken sausage, and Encore, where chef Roger Joharcy puts his touch on standard dishes. To read the full story, please click here.

Trade Centre Limited - Annual Report 2010-11 

On October 5th Trade Centre Limited, released their 2010-11 annual report "Connections" highlighting how strong committed partnerships and the engagement of the community, will help drive growth and in turn, position Nova Scotia as Canada's east coast events destination. To view the annual report, please click here.

Clark Squires joins Intergy as President & COO 

Along with overseeing all operations and sales for Intergy, Clark will be responsible for growing Intergy's hotel and resort clients internationally. Intergy is a "One Stop" internet sales solution provider for hotels and resorts. Intergy provides on-line hotel booking engine and a multi-lingual reservation centre toll free number on websites that terminate at the property and/or a Central Reservation Office (CRO) located in Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada. To view the press release, please click here

Change Good for Tourism Industry

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.