Government of Nova Scotia gov.ns.ca
gov.ns.ca Government of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia, Canada
 
Tourism Destination Development Program
OBJECTIVE
To support the development and enhancement of tourism attractions, sites, and experiences that build on our competitive product strengths, ultimately strengthening destinations in Nova Scotia.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Priority for investments will be directed to projects that enhance the competitiveness of Nova Scotia’s most strategic and competitive tourism products, destinations, and experiences. Eligible activities that may be considered for support include:

1 Tourism Planning Strategic planning including business plans and feasibility assessments for tourism projects based on Tourism Plan product development priorities.

2 Interpretation Development Planning, design, and production of interpretive media such as guides, interpretive panels, exhibits, and audio/visual aids to assist in interpreting our unique historic, cultural, and natural attributes. The primary focus of the materials must be for interpretation purposes directed to a tourism audience.

3 Tourism Infrastructure Tourism infrastructure for the development and enhancement of cultural and natural sites and attractions (e.g., scenic look-offs, visitor comfort stations, coastal hiking/walking trails, site enhancements).

4 Tourism Programming Planning, development, and implementation to enhance tourism programming activities that are innovative, experiential, and provide a learning opportunity to our rich history, culture, and natural assets. (e.g., costumes, interpretive scripts, living history programs, re-enactments, interactive programs).

ELIGIBILITY
Eligible applicants for this program include:

1 Private sector. There is an opportunity for private sector tourism operators to take the lead on a group/consortium initiative. Private sector partners must be able to demonstrate the benefit of the project for the broader industry and ensure public access where applicable. This program does not provide direct financial assistance for business start-up, capital and operating costs of ongoing business operations.

2 Non-commercial/not-for-profit organizations (e.g., local development associations, industry associations), municipalities, provincial government departments, or other entities undertaking not-for-profit initiatives.

Projects must demonstrate their ability to address provincial tourism priorities as outlined in the annual Tourism Plan. Projects that are primarily of a community economic development or heritage activity must clearly demonstrate a tourism focus and their ability to draw new visitors (non-residents) to the province.

Eligible costs include: planning and design, capital costs (e.g., materials, labour), interpretation.
Ineligible costs include: land acquisition, purchase of equipment for project construction, operating costs, marketing initiatives, marketing plans, ongoing maintenance costs, administration and project management.

LEVEL OF INVESTMENT
As financial resources are limited, we make decisions based on achieving the strategic priorities of the Tourism Plan. The Tourism Destination Development Program will consider up to a maximum 50% of eligible costs with the balance coming from the applicant and other potential sources. The total government (i.e., federal and provincial) investment should not exceed 70% of the total project cost.

Applicants are expected to secure at least 30% of total eligible costs. The 30% applicant contribution can be comprised of cash and in-kind contributions from local fund-raising initiatives, municipal contributions, and other community organizations. No more than half (50%) of the applicant’s contribution should be in-kind.

Please note that in-kind contributions will be considered only to offset measurable, incremental costs that are necessary to make the project possible.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1 Determine whether or not the project addresses the specific actions outlined in the annual Tourism Plan

2 Contact Tourism Development staff to discuss your project idea.

3 Discuss your project with your regional tourism industry association, regional development authority, and municipality to ensure it is compatible with regional strategic tourism efforts.

4 Based on feedback from staff, prepare a project proposal and complete the application form as per attached guidelines and submit the proposal to Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage for formal review and evaluation.

5 Tourism Division staff will review and evaluate your proposal. Those that we recommend will be forwarded for final approval through the Department.

Application deadline* for submission under this program is March 20, 2009.
* Deadlines are subject to change based upon demand and availability of funding.

CRITERIA AND EVALUATION
Only those projects that demonstrate their ability to achieve the strategic thrusts of the annual Tourism Plan and Vision for Tourism will be considered. As this is a competitive process, projects are scored based their ability to meet the following evaluation criteria. Does your proposal cover the following?

For more information on these tourism development investment programs contact:

Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
Tourism Division
Development and Planning
1800 Argyle Street
Suite 603
PO Box 456
Halifax, NS
B3J 2R5

T (902) 424-3908
F (902) 424-0723
E-mail