Backgrounder: Saddle up for more great tourism experiences in Nova Scotia

October 10, 2024 · Truro, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Tourism boosts local economies, highlights unique attractions, and celebrates the region's rich culture. Today, the Government of Canada announced a total of $362,500 to three organizations for four tourism projects to help tap into tourism opportunities through strategic planning and hosting dynamic events.

The Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society (operating as Central NS Sports & Entertainment) received a $150,000 non-repayable investment through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to host the four-day inaugural Nova Scotia Stampede from September 26-29, 2024 at the Provincial Exhibition Grounds in Truro. The professional rodeo featured international and national champions competing in events such as bull riding, barrel racing and saddle bronc, as well as 4H showcases, musical performances, Nova Scotian food, artisans and vendors. The week-long event sold out all rodeo events, full-day passes and VIP tickets, attracting many visitors outside of the traditional peak tourism season, and showcasing Nova Scotia’s culture and agriculture sector to an international audience. The Province of Nova Scotia provided $150,000 for this project, and the Town of Truro and Colchester County provided a combined $75,000.

The Society also received a $100,000 non-repayable investment through ICF to host the 2023 World Junior A Challenge which took place December 10-17, 2023 at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC). The event is an under-20 international ice hockey tournament sponsored by Hockey Canada, the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It featured six teams from around the world, giving young players exposure to international level competition, and bringing visitors to the region outside the peak tourism season. The Province of Nova Scotia provided $100,000 for this project and the Town of Truro and Colchester County each provided $50,000.

The Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society is a not-for-profit organization which operates the Rath Eastlink Community Centre and provides event management services for the Provincial Exhibition Grounds which includes the development of the inaugural Nova Scotia Stampede project.

The Town of Truro and Municipality of the County of Colchester are receiving a non-repayable investment of $96,850 through ICF to create a strategic tourism plan for the Truro-Colchester region. The town and county, in collaboration with regional partners Millbrook First Nation and the Town of Stewiacke, will continue to engage local businesses, community organizations, industry leaders and all levels of government to play an active role in creating a long-term success plan for elevating tourism in the area. The plan will focus on developing tourism all year long by identifying potential gaps and opportunities in the market, and will be implemented over the next three to five years.

The Town of Amherst is receiving a non-repayable investment of $15,250 through ACOA’s Tourism Growth Plan (TGP) to develop and implement a strategic tourism plan in Cumberland County. The plan will help the town  build on its tourism potential, improve its tourism products, and engage with the broader network of tourism stakeholders in the area. It will also conduct a Digital Footprint Analysis, to help tourism businesses improve their virtual profile and better present themselves to potential visitors online. Cumberland County provided $7,625 for this project.

The Town of Amherst is the largest town in Cumberland County and has a population of approximately 9,500. Amherst welcomes visitors crossing the border from New Brunswick, and is a good place to explore both the rugged cliffs of the Bay of Fundy, home of the world’s highest tides, and the sandy shores and warm water of the Northumberland Shore.

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News Release: Saddle up for more great tourism experiences in Nova Scotia