Travel to Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia, Tourism, and Travel Issues

January 29th, 2009

I Know It’s Cold, But Get Outside!


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tobI recently returned from the Caribbean where I took my first cruise ever. I felt like such an amateur because my wife and I met throngs of people who take one  or more cruises a year.

After a few days out on the ocean we took a tour of Antigua. It is a pretty poor country but the people were friendly and we saw a lot of nice scenery. However, as I looked at this northern hemisphere country in the winter I shuddered to think how hot it would be in the summer.

One of the many great things about Canada is that we have four distinct seasons. People in Nova Scotia joke that we have three: winter, summer and fall because spring is so slow in coming that it seems like July before it gets here. However, that is just a folk tale.

This winter we have been hit with very cold weather, more frosty than we have seen it in years. The usually-welcome warm spells have not materialized and and the -10 Celsius and lower temperatures keep droning on. Yes, I do long for the beach in St. Maarten’s but as I look out my window and see the skaters on Banook Lake I begin to warm up. “Hey, it’s winter, stupid!” I say to myself. “Get out and enjoy it!”

Winter Sports

In other parts pf Canada the ponds freeze up in late October but Nova Scotia never gets those temperatures until January. This year we joined the ranks of the cold provinces and people have been skating since well before Christmas. In addition, the packed snow on the hills means that the kids have shed their video games and are out with their snow-speeders and other slippery surfaces. I even saw an old-fashioned toboggan.

The ski hills have never been so packed and a day at Martok or Wentworth does not break the bank even with rentals and a ski lesson thrown in. In some ways people are glad we have a fourth season called winter instead of “Spr-inter,” the name given to the winter-spring months.

Another way to welcome winter is to go for a walk and take in the natural beauty. Rather than the soggy, slushy trails it’s nice to walk on solid ground and reminisce about being a kid.

The point is we spend too much time inside when Nova Scotia is an outdoors province and shows it in all four seasons. Better yet, make a point fo going to Sheffield Mills this wekend and watch the eagles!

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January 28th, 2009

2009 Federal Budget Good to Tourism


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Picture by Kathy Gurholt

Picture by Kathy Gurholt

At no other time in recent memory has a Canadian federal budget been more anticipated or discussed. In our form of government – based on the British parliamentary system- governments rise and fall on money bills and the annual budget is the biggest. This is especially true if the government is in minority, which means that, while the opposition parties do not have enough seats to govern, if they vote together they have more members. And while some may argue that going into debt is not a great way to help the economy (my credit card bill demonstrates this!) the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is overjoyed.

On examining the yesterday’s budget TIAC President Randy Williams said, “The government’s new investments in Canada’s tourism sector announced in today’s federal budget will provide stimulus to the industry in these challenging economic times, and will help address several longstanding competitiveness issues facing our industry.”

What this means to Canadian tourism in dollars and cents is this:

  • $40 million over two years to the Canadian Tourism Commission ($20 million for domestic marketing and$20 million for emerging markets)
  • $100 million for marquee festivals and events over two years
  • $150 million for Canada’s national parks system over two years ($75 million for visitor facilities and $75 million for national historic sites)
  • $25 million to create new hiking trails across the country
  • $407 million for improvements to passenger rail service in the Montreal to Toronto corridor operated by VIA Rail
  • Additional funding of projects which will assist in the development of vital tourism infrastructure
  • $24 million over two years for cruise ship tourism
  • $60 million over two years for local and community cultural and heritage institutions (i.e. theatres and museums)
  • $140 million over five years for Northern Economic Development , a substantial portion of which will be directed towards tourism projects.

Williams went on to say that, “These investments will help to improve product animation – or the way we deliver experiences – of some of
Canada’s most important tourism destinations, and will provide both international and domestic travellers with even more compelling and urgent reasons to visit Canada.”

“Moreover, the additional marketing dollars allocated to the CTC will allow the country’s national destination marketing organization to promote these new and improved tourism products to potential visitors from traditional and emerging economies of the world.”

What this means is that there will be help for Nova Scotia’s more than 6500 tourism businesses that employ over 40,000 people. This is not including the multiplier effect for the suppliers to the industry, rthe ones who provide the products to feed, house and entertain our travellers, contribute payroll and business taxes.

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January 27th, 2009

Cruise Ships Love Nova Scotia


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cruiseThe year 2008 will not go down in history as a banner year for nova Scotia tourism activity. Record-high gas prices , a strong Canadian dollar and the introduction of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), an American program that requires everyone entering into the U.S. to have a passport. Many operators were left in the red.

However, this was not true of those who benefit from the cruise ship industry. In fact Nova Scotia enjoyed a record year in this capacity as more than 125 cruise ships including the Queen Mary 2 docked in Halifax and another 50 in Sydney – and that’s a lot of people taking in the sights on tours and buying merchandise. The total came to over 228,000 visitors in Halifax and almost 77,000 in the Cape Breton port.

The tourism authorities announced that the total was over $25 million not including what the crew spent with another $8 million going to Sydney. Three other ports – Louisbourg, Baddeck and North Sydney – also had a total of 5 ships.

The season starts in mid-April and goes until the leaves are gone in the fall. The starting points are usually new York and Boston and the ships will visit Quebec City, Montreal and St. John’s, Newfoundland as well as Charlottetown, PEI

For 2009 the prospect is rosy as well. Predictions are that this year will top last year in terms of ships site explorations and dollars spent.

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January 26th, 2009

The Eagles Have Landed


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eaglesOne of the most revered birds in the world is the eagle. Today, it’s image watches over almost everything American but in the past it was the figurehead for over a dozen countries including Imperial Germany and Russia of the 1900′s and early 20th Century. So it is no wonder that the bird is still held in such high regard.

Another reason for it’s popularity is that it is one of the largest raptors still in excistence. It’s huge wingspan and sharp talons define the very phrase “death from above” and there are very few birds, ven animals, who would mess with such a strong predator.

However, many people do not realize that an eagle will take a free meal if it’s offered. This includes carrion on the side of the road or a farmer who wants to dispose of a few chickens – or hundreds.

Each year in the sleepy little agricultural town of Sheffield Mills hundreds of eagles gather for a feast of chicken as  local poultry farmers clear out their barns of the dead fowl. In fact the ritual has turned into part of the normal lifecycle for these birds as hundreds migrate here and stay from November to March.

The day usually begins with a few lone eagles in the barren trees. They actually resemble black burls or hornet’s nests as they patiently sit and wait. Soon a few more show up and within an hour there may be a dozen black lumps in one tree.

Before the onlookers ever see it the roosting birds are watching a farm truck lumber down the road and then onto the frozen field. The truck stops about mid-way across the frozen corn stumps and the lone human rakes out a couple of dozen dead chickens, ones that have succumbed to a variety of causes such as suffocation due to overcrowding or severe pecking.

When the truck is safely off the field a lone  bald eagle with at shocking white hood takes  flight and watches the white humps below. Satisfied that there is no danger the eagle drops like a black watermelon and its giant wings flare open at about five feet from the ground. Huge yellow claws shoot from the body and snag a dead chicken while the wings beat toward the bare trees.

Seeing that the coast is clear, other fall from the barren limbs and follow the example of the first, bold bird. Others follow suit, some landing to check the food firsthand, bumping others aside to make sure they get their share.

This is a feeding frenzy that goes on in about a dozen fields surrounding Sheffield Mills and few people will ever get the chance to witness eagles in such numbers or behaving like this anywhere in the world.

The best times to see this are on Jan.31, feb. 1, Feb 7, and Feb. 8. And don’t forget to check out the Sheffield Community Centre for breakfast, coffee and some great eagles exhibits including pictures and artwork.

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January 15th, 2009

“Nova Scotia – Travel Media” Launched on Facebook


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Kathy Gurholt Photo

Kathy Gurholt Photo

One of the best ways to find out about another part of the world is when you land on a site that gives you everything you want to know about the place. Another great way is to search for a Facebook group where personalities-in-the-know can enlighten you or you can simply follow along on the discussions that others are having.

One such new group is Nova Scotia – Travel Media. Launched by Tourism Nova Scotia’s Media & Marketing Development Manager, Pam Wamback, this new forum will draw like-minded tourism professionals, especially in the media, for discussions on where Nova Scotia tourism is heading and up-to-date.

Travel Media Site

Listed on the website is a menu of easily-managed links where the world press can access information on Nova Scotia and connect with ongoing tourism junkets. From this site interested media persons can be accommodated in their search for information on Nova Scotia from a first-hand perspective. Tourism Nova Scotia will coordinate accommodation, outdoor activities, interviews, partner introductions, ground transportation and meals that will not only help them fill in the facts but provide them with a lasting impression of one of the friendliest places on the planet.

Media Monitor

Another way the Nova Scotia Tourism is keeping ahead of the pack is with media monitors, updated pages letting interested persons know about upcoming trips and activities. These are continually updated in a press-release format to ensure everyone knows well ahead of time what is going on.

Contact Information

Of course you should hear it from the professionals and Nova Scotia has people that know every inch of the province from Meat Cove, Cape Breton to Cape Forchu Lighthouse near Yarmouth. Check with their Nova Scotia – Travel Media Facebook Group or contact:

Randy Brooks
Manager, Media Relations

Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage
1800 Argyle Street, Suite 602
PO Box 456, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 2R5

P: (902) 424-4171
F: (902) 424-2668
E: rbrooks@gov.ns.ca

Pamela Wamback
Media & Marketing Development
Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage
1800 Argyle Street, Suite 602
PO Box 456, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 2R5

P: (902) 424-4170
F: (902) 424-2668
E: wambackp@gov.ns.ca

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