Tusket Island Tours wins 2018 Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award
The Tusket Island tour experience launched in 2014
Lucien LeBlanc and brother Simon LeBlanc were some of the first entrepreneurs to help reinvigorate the tourism industry in Yarmouth and Acadian Shores.
On Nov. 27 their popular Tusket Island Tours received the 2018 Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award – in recognition of sustainable tourism practices – at the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia’s Crystal Tourism Awards of Excellence.
The tour experience launched in 2014, after the LeBlancs were among 28 business owners in the region to receive funding ($20,000) from the Southwest Nova Tourism Task Team.
Lucien LeBlanc says the Tusket Islands themselves gave him the idea to build the tour experience.
Those he has taken to the islands in the past have been “mesmerized” by their beauty.
“The islands have so much rich history and photogenic appeal that they simply could not stay as our little secret in our community,” he said at the time.
He’s very pleased with the honour of the award after five years of operating.
“This is an incredible honour for us. Our team has worked really hard to deliver a great experience
that brings people to the beautiful Tusket Islands. We love telling people about our Acadian culture and fishing heritage. It’s a magical place and we’re glad we can share it.”
Neil MacKenzie, executive director of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association, is pleased to see the award given to a local operator.
“Sustainable tourism experiences like Tusket Island Tours is so important for our tourism industry,” he said. “Without experiences like this, it would be very difficult to attract visitors to the area and keep them here. We’re very pleased to see Tusket Island Tours recognized for their commitment to our tourism industry and sustainable practices.”
Another award recipient in the region is Yvon d’Entremont with Inshore Fisheries, Pubnico. He received the 2018 Pineapple Award, which celebrates pride in service and the individuals who go above and beyond to enrich a visitor’s stay in Nova Scotia.
Throughout the year, visitors complete Pineapple Award nominations located in hundreds of establishments throughout the province.