Government of Nova Scotia gov.ns.ca
gov.ns.ca Government of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia, Canada
 
2009 Tourism Marketing Opportunities Program
Tourism Marketing Assistance - 2009

Objective

Cooperative marketing support is provided to initiatives throughout Nova Scotia to help strengthen our tourism brand, showcase our province to visitors, and grow tourism revenues in our province.

Program Application and Expenditure Deadline

The project application deadline is March 20, 2009. Project expenditures must take place between April 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010.

Eligible Projects Guidelines

Projects must demonstrate the ability to attract visitors and increase tourism visitors and spending.
     
Eligible projects include direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives in-line with the Province’s annual Tourism Plan and have the potential to contribute directly to incremental visitor spending.

Priority will be given to initiatives which are multi-regional or provincial in scope and involve the marketing of core experiences, such as music, culinary and wine, coastal experiences, and living history. 

Previously funded applicants must have met the program’s conditions to re-apply.

Eligible Project Costs:

Ineligible Project Costs

Eligibility

Applicants must be registered non-profit or not-for-profit organizations that conduct tourism related activities and marketing programs which benefit the entire province or region.  Organizations must be in good standing with the Provincial Registrar of Joint Stock Companies.

Eligible submissions must include a completed Tourism Marketing Assistance Application Form with an attached proposal and financial statements by March 20, 2009.

Program Conditions

Projects supported must include the Nova Scotia visual identity (novascotia.com logo) and credit Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage for its support.

Successful applicants will receive an advance of 60 per cent of the funding assistance upon receipt of the signed agreement.

The balance of the funding will be provided upon receipt of the final report with project evaluation and proof of payment. Failure to submit such materials by March 31, 2010 will automatically result in the forfeiting of the remaining funds.

Level of Investment

Pending annual funding approval, the program is designed to consider funding support up to 50 per cent of applicable marketing costs, to a maximum of $25,000, with the balance of the funding coming from the applicant and other potential sources. The total government (i.e., federal, provincial, municipal) investment should not exceed 70 per cent of the total project costs.

Application Process

  1. Determine if the project matches the priorities of the Province’s annual Tourism Plan
  2. Discuss the project with your Regional Industry Tourism Association (RTIA) or the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to ensure compatibility with regional strategic tourism efforts, and to request a letter of support.
  3. Contact Sadie Thomas-Frye, Program Implementation Officer, at (902) 424-3282 to discuss outline of initiative prior to funding deadline.
  4. Prepare proposal as per criteria and submit to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage for formal review and evaluation. The program deadline is March 20, 2009. Applications can be sent by fax, mail or e-mail.
  5. Applicants will receive notification of the status of their application by April 30, 2009.

Criteria

  1. Your application must include a letter of support/endorsement from your RTIA or HRM, as well as, a minimum of two other letters of support/endorsement from tourism-related operators or organizations.
  2. Complete and attach the Tourism Marketing Assistance Application Form with your application.
  3. Project Applications must provide the following elements within the content of their application:
    • Background: Provide a brief history of the project.
    • Project Description: Provide a detailed description of the project, including proposed activities, specifically the marketing elements (circulation/ distribution volumes, frequency rates, distribution plans, demographics, partnership opportunities, etc.).
    • Target Markets: Define the target audience for the project, including geographic markets (i.e. Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, Central Canada, New England, and Europe), market category (i.e. meetings & conventions, motor coach, and FIT), and/or niche product (i.e. golf, spa, motorcycle, music, culture, and cuisine).
    • Measurable Objectives: What does the applicant/proponent hope to achieve by implementing the marketing project? How will the project be evaluated to determine if the objectives were met?
    • Budget: Provide specific details with regards to the costs of each activity in the project. The budget should also indicate additional sources of revenues, both cash and in-kind. Applications must disclose all other forms of assistance, government or otherwise.
    • Financial Statements: Attach the most recent audited financial statement of the project.
    • Nova Scotia Tourism Plan: Describe how the marketing project ties into the priorities of the annual plan

For more information or to submit an application, please contact:

Sadie Thomas-Frye
Tourism Sales & Partnerships
Department of Tourism, Culture & Heritage
1800 Argyle Street, Suite 602 Halifax, NS  B3J 2R5
(902) 424-3282 tel
(902) 424-2668 fax