Provincial News ~ February 2010

Training on tap at TIANB

FREDERICTON, NB—The Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick has dubbed 2010  “The Year for your Business to Become SuperHost Atlantic Certified”.  The association is hosting SuperHost, a one day, action packed training program for tourism industry employees, every month in different areas of the province. It is a cost-effective way to train staff in communication and interpersonal skills. The way your employees interact with your customers is the back bone to your business.

Businesses that become 100 per cent SuperHost Certified, meaning every staff member has been through the program, receive special recognition.

The association is also working with Tourism Technology.com to offer support to tourism operators who are not sure what to do with their websites. In a one-on-one mentoring session, they discuss how to offer accommodations online, evaluate your current website, and provide suggestions (based on market research) on how to make improvements.


TIANS hands out Crystal and Pineapple Awards

HALIFAX—In early December, the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia handed out both the Crystal Tourism Awards and the Pineapple Awards.

The awards gala ended the three-day TIANS Tourism Summit—the Evolution of Tourism.

Along with nine Crystal awards, three Pineapple awards went to TIANS members in recognition of their achievements in 2009.

Driftwood Park Retreat, an eco-friendly lodging operation located on the Bay of Fundy shore and owned by Gloria Lemay, took the Sustainable Tourism award. The chalet-style units use a wetland treatment system to filter wastewater through aquatic plants, including cattails, treating 900 gallons of sewage per day.

Gloria Lemay of Driftwood Park Retreat received the Sustainable Tourism Award from TIANS chair Danny Morton.

Ye Olde Argyler Lodge, a hotel property on Lobster Bay in southwest Nova Scotia, took the Tourism Atlantic Technology award.  The owners use a website, online reservation system and e-mailed newsletter to reach out to customers through technology.

“They are constantly improving their Internet presence and are strong supporters of educational programs to enhance how they can service their guest through technology,” TIANS said.

Scott McCauley received the Tourism Champion award for his work as general manager of Cape Breton Island Resorts, operators of four hotels on the island.

He started with his family’s small bed and breakfast and turned it into a company that now employs 400 people in Cape Breton.

Dick Lemon purchased Long Island, located the Bay of Fundy, in 2003 and set out to create a retreat for artists, musicians and writers seeking inspiration. He has built a café, library, hostel and gallery for artists staying on the island and in 2007 he created the “Not Since Moses” run where people could run on the ocean floor between a series of islands. These achievements earned Lemon the Tourism Innovator award.

Judy Saunders received the Tourism Person of the Year award as managing director of the 129-room Old Orchard Inn, located in Wolfville, and the 78-room Slumber Inn, in New Minas.

Saunders is a volunteer for TIANS, the Evangeline Trail Tourism Association and Destination Southwest Nova.

TIANS presented the 2009 Pineapple awards to members Courtney Beck of Shubenacadie, Belliveau Motors in Church Point, Nova Scotia and Seamus Ryan from Halifax.


Ontario’s 11 Tourism Regions announced

TORONTO—The Tourism Competitiveness Study, chaired by former Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, was released in February of this year, making 21 recommendations to strengthen the tourism industry over a 10 year period. One of key recommendations was to establish 11 tourism regions throughout the province.

After months of consultations with industry, on December 18 the government announced the establishment of 13 tourism regions.

Regional Tourism Organizations will be established in regions across Ontario in early 2010. These organizations will be responsible for working with tourism partners to enhance and grow that region’s tourism products and marketing activities.

This regional approach, developed in consultation with the tourism industry, will help better coordinate tourism marketing and management, attract increased visitation, generate more economic activity and create jobs across the province.

The province will help the industry transition to the new tourism regions by providing $25 million in each of the next two years. This funding is in addition to the $40 million in ongoing annual funding announced in the 2009 Ontario Budget.


TIAPEI now tweeting and supporting mature hospitality workers

CHARLOTTETOWN—TIAPEI is now broadcasting their tourism news updates, member event information, promotions and programs via their new Twitter account to keep better connected with members and the people in the tourism industry. Follow them @TIAPEI or visit  www.twitter.com/tiapei. For those who don’t have a twitter account, TIAPEI will still be communicating through e-newsletter and the news page of its website.

TIAPEI is also partnering with the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning to once again present their “Passport to Employment through Tourism Programs” in Charlottetown and Summerside. This Island wide program was developed to give employment training to individuals aged 55-64. These trained and accomplished mature participants will be ready to put their experience and knowledge to work in the labour market in March and May respectively. Employers wishing to recruit from this labour pool, or are willing to provide short term job shadow placements, please contact: Wendi Poirier at TIAPEI, 902-566-5008. E-mail: wpoirier@tiapei.pe.ca.


Feds and Ontario get new tourism ministers

TORONTO, OTTAWA—The Honourable Michael Chan is Ontario’s new Minister of Tourism and Culture, replacing Monique Smith.

He previously served as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, a portfolio that held special significance for him as an immigrant himself.
 
Before beginning his political career, Chan owned an insurance brokerage in Markham, ON — with 30 employees and hundreds of agents.

And on Jan. 20, Rob Moore became Canada’s new Minister of State responsible for Small Business and Tourism.

Moore was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004. As MP for Fundy Royal, he said he is particularly pleased because small businesses and tourism are so much a part of the economy and way of life in New Brunswick.

Left: Rob Moore; Right: Michael Chan