Nova Scotia Business Journal - december Edition

Nova Scotia with a bow on top: Promoting tourism experiences as the perfect gift

One of the challenges facing the tourism industry is the perception that it is a seasonal industry, and while there are many businesses that are open for a set number of months, there are also hundreds of businesses that are open year round. 

Businesses sometimes open on a seasonal basis to take advantage of the Seasonal Business Designation, which reduces their commercial tax when open for a limited number of months. While the program has helped many small businesses manage costs, the larger issue of high commercial tax rates continues to be a disincentive for operators to stay open longer.

Business owners need to be creative as they look at ways to drive visitation to their regions on a year-round basis. They need to let Nova Scotians know there are some very cool experiences that they can take advantage of during those long months of winter. They also need to encourage people to purchase unique gifts that will promote travel throughout the province.

When I asked some operators what they were doing to encourage Christmas or holiday business, I received a variety of responses. A number of adventure tourism outfitters told me they are offering gift cards for purchase and winter experiences. Many inns are highlighting romance and culinary packages. Themed weekend getaways are being offered at a number of year-round accommodations as well. The perfect gift could be a ski package that includes a local accommodation or a health and wellness retreat, and there are a number of cultural events hosted across Nova Scotia during the holiday season that could be built into a winter getaway.

All tourism operators should encourage people to check out the provincial website www.novascotia.com for some inspiration this holiday season — Nova Scotia might just be the perfect gift!

Darlene Grant Fiander is the president of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia and executive director of the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council. Darlene has worked in the tourism industry for over 25 years. You can reach her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


Past Articles 
2014 Columns
October 2014 Edition - Where are our true leaders? Courage of convinctions necessary for change in tourism industry

July 2014 Edition - McNabs Island: Rediscovering a Tourism Gem

June 2014 Edition - Cultural Tourism: Embracing One of Our Best Assets

May 2014 Edition - You Don't Know What You Got Til It's Gone

April 2014 Edition - Now or Never: Time is Now

March 2014 Edition - Bluenose ll: Time to Set Sail

January 2014 Edition - Time to Change the Conversation 

2013 Columns

November Edition - Accessibility: How accommodating are we?

October Edition - Nova Scotia Business Journal - Tourism Connection 

July Edition - Tourism and the Economy: Making the Connection - Nova Scotia Business Journal

June Edition - Pride of Place Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection 

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - April Edition - Unlocking Tourism's True Potential 

Nova Scotia Buisness Journal - The Tourism Connection - February Edition - Transportation

2012 Columns

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - November Edition - Open Skies - Why or Why Not? 

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - October Edition - Lighthouses: A Shining Beacon for Tourism

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - August Edition - It's Time to Share Our Best Kept Secret

Nova Scotia Buisness Journal - The Tourism Connection - July Edition - It's Time to Show Tourism the Love

Nova Scotia Buisnes Journal - The Tourism Connection - June Edition - Good Jobs or Bad Jobs...It Depends on Your Perspective

Nova Scotia Buisness Journal - The Tourism Connection - May Edition - What's So Special...About Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Buisness Journal - The Tourism Connection - April Edition - Not Flying So High

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - February Edition - Signage Policy

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - January Edition - 2012 Outlook

2011 Columns

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - November Edition - Major Announcements

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - October Edition - Create Pathways Not Road Blocks

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - September Edition - Cruising to Success in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - August Edition - Why International Tourism Is Important

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - July Edition - A Tourism Conversation

Nova Scotia Business Journal - The Tourism Connection - June Edition: A Vibrant Downtown Crucial for Tourism Success