The ‘possibilities are endless’
Insight and knowledge into developing and creating tourism experiences related to the marine environment was shared at the Fishing for Opportunities open information session at the Acadian Village in Lower West Pubnico on March 12.
The information session in Yarmouth County attracted people and fishermen with an interest in developing marinerelated tourism experiences and opportunities from as far away as Pictou County.
“I think it’s important to look at the opportunities for the fish harvesting sector,” with the demand in the tourism sector for marine-related experiences, said Lisa Fitzgerald, executive director Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council.
Hosted by the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Council and the Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council, others in attendance included the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS), Tourism Nova Scotia, representatives from the federal
Shelburne-area fisherman Kasey Demings takes notes during the Fishing for Opportunities open information session at the Acadian Village in Lower West Pubnico on March 12.
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture, the provincial Department of Labour and Advanced Education and the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA).
Neil MacKenzie, executive director of YASTA, said the main strengths of the region is the Acadian culture and seafaring heritage.
“In order to leverage that we need to offer visitors the opportunity
as much as possible to experience the marine environment,” he said.
Living Wharves, Savour the Sea, Song of the Paddle Kayaking Experience, East Coast Paddle Company, Lightkeepers Seafeast, Tusket Island Tours and Deep-Sea Fishing Charters are among the marine-based operators and experiences in the region now, said MacKenzie.
“These operators are all doing great things, we’re so glad we have them because they are the backbone of our tourism industry. These operators enable us to motivate visitors to stay in our region because there are things for visitors to do,” he said. “The simple fact is the region of Yarmouth & Acadian Shores could use more tourism product in general and I think leveraging our marine environment is a great idea. We market our seafood and our beautiful landscapes and our access to the ocean. We just need to ensure we give visitors as much access to our marine environment as possible.”
Judy Lynch, tourism development officer with Tourism Nova Scotia, said the “possibilities are endless what we can create here,” along with “the number of visitor interests we can meet with the number of things that are available here.”
Developing new ways to experience Nova Scotia is a focus for Tourism Nova Scotia, said Lynch.
“We want to focus on creating those world-class experiences. World class doesn’t necessarily mean luxury. It means it stands out, can only happen here, and is very unique ... Experiences don’t have to be complex. They just need to be well thought out, planned and targeted to the visitor you want to attract.”
Lynch said there are different ways for people to be more engaged.
“You might be one element of the experience or you could be the sole provider,” she said.
Tourism Nova Scotia has put together an online Nova Scotia Experience tool kit to help people develop and deliver new visitor experiences as well as to assist existing operators with exposure, said Lynch.
“The majority of visitors enjoy hiking, beaches, are looking for ways to access the water” and want to make “authentic connections” to the people, places, culture and flavour of the province, said Lynch, noting 60 per cent of visitors eat lobster.
Lisa Dahr, executive director of TIANS, said the information session is the pilot of a broader project “to get a sense of what the interests, demands and opportunities are when it comes to sharing your experiences and developing new entrepreneurial opportunities when it comes to tourism sector.”
Dahr said there is significant opportunity to grow experiences in the area linked to marine based tourism.
“Visitors are seeking authentic adventure and recreational experiences and currently very few offers of this nature in the region,” she said. “The regions rich fishing heritage and strong connection to a seafaring past lend itself well to marine and coastal based interactive experiences.”