Maine and Yarmouth tourism officials to discuss ways to increase visits

The Maine delegation includes Maine director of tourism Pat Eltman, Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce executive director Chris Fogg and Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau marketing manager Lianon Close.

Bay Ferries Limited is assisting with the exchange.

“Maine and Nova Scotia share a common heritage,” said Bay Ferries vice president of marketing George Driscoll.

“Even so, both are unique destinations. By working jointly to encourage visitors to visit both, the region can offer tourists a vacation experience greater than the sum of its parts.”

Driscoll noted that marketing The CAT requires promotion of both destinations, and said there is increasing interest on the part of Maine and Nova Scotia tourism officials to work cooperatively to attract visitors.

The Maine delegation will attend a reception and luncheon hosted by Southwest Shores Development Authority, which is actively engaged in tourism development for the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores region of the province.

Some members of the delegation will continue to the Oak Island resort where Destination Southwest Nova Scotia Tourism will host the group.

On Tuesday, June 17, the delegation will travel to Halifax for a luncheon with Destination Halifax. Later that evening Nova Scotia Minister of Tourism Bill Dooks and the Nova Scotia Office of Tourism will host a dinner for the delegation.