Six tourism related projects in Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Digby counties are among the recipients of the more than $16 million in federal investments announced on June 23 to support the tourism industry across Atlantic Canada.
In Queens County, the North Queens Board of Trade has been awarded $46,000 to develop a plan to establish North Queens as a gateway community.
In Shelburne County, the Town of Lockeport is receiving $140,235 to upgrade its’ trestle trail to grow tourism experiences and adapt to rising sea levels.
In Digby County, the Municipality of the District of Clare has been awarded $84,675 to engage expertise to develop plans and designs for tourism infrastructure, while the Meteghan Marina Association will receive $57,500 to upgrade the marina to grow tourism opportunities.
In Yarmouth County, the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Tourism Association will get $80,000 to help tourism businesses to improve their online presence and e-commerce capabilities, with $36,381 awarded to the Yarmouth Arts Regional Council to implement energy efficient and modern performance equipment.
“The East Coast is home to some of the most welcoming people and most beautiful sites in Canada. Our local economies depend on visitors from all over the world, and COVID-19 has put serious strains on the tourism sector,” said Minister Bernadette Jordan, MP for South Shore-St. Margarets in a press release, who referred to projects in her riding. “These funds . . . will help businesses across the Atlantic, including the Town of Lockeport and the North Queens Board of Trade, to develop resources and strategies to boost their tourism. There are countless reasons to visit South Shore—St. Margarets, and with this funding we are ensuring that two key attractions will continue to thrive for years to come.”
Tourism supports over 100,000 jobs at more than 8,000 businesses across Atlantic Canada, playing a crucial role in local economies, as well as local pride. “Yet, the tourism sector has been hit hard by COVID-19, and there are real concerns about what the future will look like,” reads the release.
The ACOA funding announced on June 23 complements the funding that each province is receiving from Destination Canada for destination marketing organizations – $4.5 million in total – to implement targeted marketing programs and encourage residents to discover their own backyards.
It was previously announced that over the next 18 months, Destination Canada, Canada’s national tourism marketing organization, will invest $30 million in provincial marketing organizations (PMOs), which will be matched by provinces and territories, to deliver locally led marketing programs. This includes $2 million for Nova Scotia.
