Tourism in Richmond County

Destination Cape Breton Association attended a major marketing event this past weekend. Exhibition Park in Halifax was the spot to be on April 29, 30th and May 1st to find out the new hot spots to visit this season. And we were there. Charlene Marshall, Gary and I were on hand to inform visitors coming to Cape Breton this summer of the new and improved outdoor activities that visitors could expect to find. This is the 7th year that Gary and myself took part in the Saltscapes Travel Expo, representing Richmond County as part of the Destination Cape Breton Association contingent. The show had 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 visitors. The Expo highlighted everything from the Unique Retail section to Savour the Flavour of Atlantic Canada to sample our culture, music and travel, as well as what was new with cottage and garden and healty living. The show had 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. Richmond County drew a lot of interest from visitors at the show, and were impressed at the give-aways offered at the Richmond booths. Tourism operators and local business showed their support for the tourism industry by donating some very nice give-aways which were used at the travel show. The Dundee Resort and Golf Club donated a Play and Stay Certificate for two lucky winners, with vacation getaways also being provided by the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn and the A. MacDonald Country Inn in St. Peter's and the L'Auberge Acadienne Inn in Arichat. A prize certificate was also presented from Louie's Family Restaurant in St. Peter's and the St. Peter's Foodland Grocery was a hit again this year for their delicious Oat Cakes which they donated and which many visitors at the show said were the best they every had. The county also provided gift certificates to two of the new outdoor events that will be taking place during the summer, the new Paddeling Competition and the very popular Surf Competition. As well as being able to offer some great give-aways, we were fortunate to have representatives of two of the county's new visitor experiences on hand to talk about these ventures; the Arichat Light House Tour and the brand new Sheep Farm Tour experience. The weekend was very well received by visitors, which we can only hope will generate higher rate of visitors to Richmond this season. For a full write up on the event and pictures please go to tourismspotlight.blogspot.com.