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 Buisness Journal - The Tourism Connection - February Edition - Transportation
2012 Columns
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 - July Edition - A Tourism Conversation