Tourism in Richmond County

The next few months will be very busy for our tourism associations and organizations as they prepare for the upcoming tourism season. Representatives of the tourism industry will be attending a number of travel shows with the intention of drawing visitors to our area. One of the shows that Cape Breton tourism operators are targeting for their share of the tourism dollar are the Travel and Vacation Show in Ottawa at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park on April 2nd and 3rd. This show will have exhibitors from 40 countries and approximately 160 travel exhibits where visitors can compare prices, attend information seminars and view tourism demonstrations and entertainment from around the world. Destination Cape Breton Association will be there to promote Cape Breton Island, as part of the Nova Scotia Tourism contingent.

Another major marketing venue that Destination Cape Breton Association will be attending to attract visitors to Cape Breton is the Saltscapes East Coast Expo taking place at Exhibition Park in Halifax April 29th to May 1st. This is the 7th year that I will be representing DCBA at the Saltscapes Expo, which will have approximately 400 unique exhibitors providing more than 100 presentations and demonstrations, offering visitors the opportunity to gain awarness of the many experiences that this spectacular part of the world has to offer its visitors. The Expo will highlight everything from the Unique Retail section to Savour the Flavour of Atlantic Canada to sample our culture, music and travel, as well as what's new with cottage and garden and healty living. The show has something of interest for everyone. Atlantic Canada is a very important tourism market as a high percentage of visitors travelling to our area come from the Atlantic Provinces.

Also there have been some new developments concerning tourism in Richmond County. On March 23rd, there was an open house held at the A MacDonald Country Inn in St. Peter's, hosted by the Municipality of the County of Richmond to unveil their new tourism plan. Richmond County's Chief Administrative Officer Warren Olsen, addressed those in attendance and gave some insight on the evenings agenda and expressed enthusiasm and support for the tourism project that the county intends to undertake. Olsen then introduced Richmond County's Economic Development Manager Jeff Stanley and Tourism Coordinator Charlene Marshall (former Partnership Coordinator for Destination Richmond Tourism Cooperative). Marshall and Stanley informed tourism operators from the area, as well as members of Destination Cape Breton Association and the media, of the new direction in which the County intends to take tourism. No longer will Richmond be associated with the brand of the Cape Breton Heritage Coast, which was the tourism brand for Destination Richmond. Tourism now will be looking to create a greater interest in the area's outdoor activities. To expand tourist's awareness of Richmond County's beautiful beaches and coastline to activities such as kayaking, paddling and golfing and to expand on the already very successful surf program at Point Michaud Beach. Stanley explaned to all in attendance that he hopes to extend the fall shoulder season in tourism, by developing new events for the period leading up to Celtic Colours and hopefully beyond. This would be done by developing events such as a more robust Surf Classic, and creating a brand new paddling competition, and an ATV Rally which would draw people in from outlying areas to take part. Combining these new ventures with a musical element could possibly extend these events from a two day stay in the area to three or four day stays, which would increase nightly room rentals and merchandise sales in the county. Stanley also spoke on the prospect of having tourism operators do more partnering to broaden the experience for the visitors. For example, an accommodation could partner with a sailing cruise to offer the visitor a greater experence during their stay. They are hoping to develop more experiential tourism in the county which will also offer the visitor an opportunity to take part in local activities, such as sheep shearing at a local sheep farm or take part in a tour and information session on Isle Madame's lighthouses and the rich history of the fishing industry. Marshall introduced a new marketing piece in the form of a DVD, presentating images of the beautiful scenery and activities from around Richmond, combined with the music of Richmond native Cyril MacPhee.
Stanley and Marshall drew attention to Nova Scotia's Department of Tourism's stats for nightly room rental of inspected accommodations, which indicated that Richmond's share of the tourism market had declined over the last few years. He indicated that with the new direction which they intended to take tourism, they hoped to increase these numbers by 2015 and extend the tourism season longer than it is at the present time, which would also increase revenue.
The open house extended the opportunity for members of Richmonds Tourism industry to get a glimpse at where their industry is heading, as well as the opportunity to do some networking over a glass of wine, and enjoy live entertainment provided by Richmond's own Cyril MacPhee.

Until next week, enjoy your time in Richmond.