Blog for the week is directed towards the tourism industry for Nova Scotia and most specifically South Shore.
Last weekend, the Toronto Boat Show occurred and Welshtown Haven had the opportunity to look around as spectators. The event was to draw boat enthusiasts from around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Friday evening ended up being a good time to attend in that few were walking the floor. It was Friday Evening and heavy rain. I'd guess, the bulk of boaters would show up with families over the weekend.
For the most part, boats were being displayed. Big ones and Little ones and a lot in between. Other then boats a range of other vendors / tables were set up to coax visitors to sign up or buy a secondary product. The most odd was mesh for ones eaves troughs. Some of the more obvious were the local (to GTA) marina and sailing school's. While speaking with these secondary service providers, we'd properly identify as the operators of a quaint All Season, Weekly Rental, Vacation House, located in South Shore Nova Scotia. With this, many would start recalling vacations they'd had to the East Coast and Nova Scotia specifically. One lady who's job was to speak about "Time Sharing" of a Sailboat in one of the local harbors / marinas told us that her husband and her had been introduced to sailing in Nova Scotia some years before. Needless to say, most all who we spoke to knew and respected the Sailing Adventure that Nova Scotia provided.
Now, one would think that given the East Coast prevalence that this would be fertile ground for advertising East Coast Vacations? Well, of all the booths that were visited only one small table held a Nova Scotia representative. A soft spoken gentlemen representing Sailing CBI INC. spoke to us and provided insight about his company; as well as, the yearly route sailors take each year, up the Eastern Seaboard.
In preparation for this blog, some queries were submitted to "Google" and a web site came up from Hurtigruten (Exploring Canadian Maritimes (Southbound)), and they had a map on their site that displayed that yearly trek.
Now, how is this relevant to Welshtown Haven, Shelburne, South Shore or Nova Scotia in the context of Tourism?... Seriously, you have to ask? Is it not obvious?
This blog is not directed to vacationers. This weeks blog is directed at the local and macro Nova Scotia Tourism Industry! Why Were YOU NOT THERE?
As a small accommodations provider, it takes little to fill our offering. One guest for a week or two and we're booked for a week or two but it is all dependent on vacationers contemplating that "East Coast Vacation". Those who have the money for big boats also have the money to take the family to the East Coast. Those who can afford those big boats would also be contemplating the big loop (Up the Eastern Seaboard, Up the St. Lawrence, Through the Trent-Severn Waterway and down the Mississippi). Those who can afford such things are typically intelligent enough to learn about what they are getting themselves into and becoming informed about Nova Scotia at a Boat Show might be a good start. Next on the list would be to check out Nova Scotia as a land lover. Maybe plan a vacation to the East Coast and enroll in some East Coast Sailing Lessons for a week or two?
Sailing CIB, I hope your efforts are well rewarded! Welshtown Haven takes their collective hats off to you in respect of you efforts.
As for the other tourism marketing groups in Shelburne County, South Shore and Nova Scotia in general, shame on you for your lack of representation.
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