New Approach to Safe, Quality Tourist Accommodations in Nova Scotia - Updated April 9, 2008
Frequently Asked Questions
In November 2007, Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Bill Dooks announced government’s intent to repeal the Tourist Accommodations Act (Act) in the Spring 2008 sitting of the Legislature. Once the Act is repealed, there will be no more tourist accommodation licensing in Nova Scotia.
Why is the Tourist Accommodations Act being repealed?
Our new approach enhances fairness for all accommodation operators while ensuring safety and quality. It allows the department to continue promoting Nova Scotia as a tourism destination and gives industry the leadership role it wants to play to improve quality in our tourism product.
When will the Act be repealed?
Government proposes to repeal the Act during the Spring 2008 sitting of the Legislature.
How will the new approach be better for accommodation operators?
We had a situation of unfairness with law-abiding licensed properties operating next to unlicensed ones. Even if the courts could handle the work, we know we could never track down every unlicensed property. So the fairest approach is not to have provincial government licensing and to instead, promote only the properties that are demonstrating quality by meeting benchmark quality standards
Until the Act is repealed, will the Department renew licences or issue new ones?
Until the Act is repealed, the Minister will grant short-term tourist accommodation licenses to operators with licenses in good standing. The Department will also inspect and grant short-term licences to new accommodation properties meeting licensing requirements under the Act. All short-term licenses will expire June 30, 2008. There will be no fees associated with these licenses.
Once the Act is repealed, what will be different for operators?
The ultimate difference will be no more accommodation licensing which will reduce the administrative burden for operators. At an operational level, the key difference will be the choice that operators will have in promoting their businesses:
- About 60% of currently licensed operators are already members of recognized rating programs such as Canada Select and CAA/AAA. For them, our new approach means they will no longer pay licensing fees on top of their rating program fee.
- For operators who choose not to use rating programs, they can meet quality standards that are being established by the industry through the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS).
How will accommodation businesses get inspected for quality and listed in the Travel Guide?
Once the act is repealed, operators will be able to choose what quality program(s) they participate in.
National and international quality assurance programs such as Canada Select, Camping Select, and CAA/AAA’s Diamond Rating program will be recognized by the Department. As well, the proposed TIANS-led quality standards program will be recognized by the Department.
Does this mean rating programs will be mandatory?
No. Rating programs have always been, and will continue to be completely voluntary for operators. The proposed TIANS program will be based on benchmark quality standards and will not be a rating program.
What about public safety requirements for accommodation operators?
All accommodation operators must
continue to comply with all federal, provincial, and municipal laws (e.g., public safety, operation of a business).
When will the proposed TIANS-led quality standards program be available?
The proposed TIANS-led quality standards program is currently under development. It is expected to be in place in June 2008, in time for operators to be inspected during the 2008 tourism season and to be eligible for provincial marketing programs for the 2009 season. When it is completed, TIANS will communicate the standards with industry.
Will membership in TIANS be required to participate in the proposed TIANS quality standards program?
No. Membership in TIANS will not be a prerequisite; any accommodation operator will be eligible to apply for participation in the proposed TIANS quality standards program.
What are the benefits of the new approach?
Operators who choose to participate in a recognized quality program will be eligible to participate in provincial support programs such as provincial tourism marketing activities. These include all current and future programs such as:
- Listings in Nova Scotia’s Doers and Dreamers Guide and novascotia.com
- Purchase of advertising in Nova Scotia’s Doers and Dreamers Guide and novascotia.com
- Participation in Check In Nova Scotia Reservation Service
- Participation in marketing and sales activities such as promotions, media and travel writer familiarization tours
- Distribution of accommodation operator brochures in visitor information centres
Will there be a listing fee to participate in the Doers & Dreamers Guide?
Accommodation operators that meet industry standards for quality will be eligible for complementary listings in departmental promotional materials which currently include the Doers & Dreamers Guide and novascotia.com.
If I choose to participate in a quality program such as CAA/AAA’s Diamond Rating program or Canada Select, will I be able to display my rating in the Travel Guide?
Yes. Operators will have choice in what program(s) they wish to display in their listing information. This approach will help operators select how best to promote their businesses and will meet the needs of consumers.
What about operators who don’t want to participate in marketing activities?
Operators who choose not to participate in provincial marketing activities can continue to operate without participating in an industry quality program. They must, however, continue to comply with all federal, provincial, and municipal laws (e.g., public safety, operation of a business).
How will visitors know which accommodations are quality properties?
Our travel guide and website will explain to consumers that all the accommodation properties we promote are meeting industry quality standards recognized by the Province of Nova Scotia. Only properties that are approved through one of the recognized quality programs will be marketed by the Province.
How will accommodations get taxed as commercial properties without the act?
Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations has many sources of information to determine if a property is commercial or residential. The repeal of the act will have little effect on their assessment work.
For more information, please visit our website at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc or contact:
John Somers
A/Executive Director of Tourism
Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
902-424-4554
or
Darlene Grant-Fiander
President
Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
902-423-4480
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