Please note that some business types must meet specific requirements to be included in Tourism Nova Scotia’s marketing channels. These requirements are outlined below.

Accommodations and Campgrounds

Any accommodation or campground wishing to participate in Tourism Nova Scotia’s marketing channels MUST submit occupancy reports to Tourism Nova Scotia each month you are open.  If an accommodation/campground does not report its occupancy data within seven calendar days following the end of each month they are operating, their listing may be deactivated on NovaScotia.com until Tourism Nova Scotia receives their required occupancy information.

More information about occupancy reporting is available at https://tourismns.ca/research/accommodation-occupancy-reporting. 

Fixed-roof accommodations must be registered with the Province. Campgrounds are not required to register unless they have a fixed roof accommodation (i.e. camping cabin, trailer, cottage, glamping structure such as a yurt, dome, etc.) available for short term rentals on their property.

Attractions

All tourism attractions must have planned visitor orientation and interpretation, provided by staff, a self-guided tour, interpretive signage, and/or interpretive literature/multi-media. Categories of attractions include:

• Gardens
• Spas & Wellness
• Lighthouses
• Museums & Historic Sites
• UNESCO Sites
• Artisans & Galleries
• Theatres

Artisan Studios, Shops & Galleries

• Focus MUST be on local goods produced in and unique to Nova Scotia.
• The applicant must carry 100% Canadian craft and fine art with a minimum of 80% Nova Scotia-made product, craft or fine art (inventory can be made up of more than one Nova Scotia artist or craftsperson).
• For home-based galleries and shops, the business must operate in a separate space away from living quarters with signage which promotes the primary focus of the space.
• Note: Restaurants / cafés / bakeries that display and sell works of local artists as décor in business do not qualify for this type of listing.
• The use of the wording “Open Studio” requires that the applicant has a working studio on premises and invites visitors into their studio to watch them work.

Food & Beverage

• This category is intended to promote uniquely Nova Scotian restaurants, culinary products and craft beverages to visitors to help motivate travel throughout Nova Scotia. 
• Brew Pubs: Must be an eatery that brews beer on-site for tasting and purchase.
• Craft Breweries / Cideries / Distilleries / Wineries: Must be actively brewing/distilling/producing on site and offer a walk-in storefront experience where visitors sample, purchase and/or participate in tours to learn about the products. 
• Specialty Food Shops & Producers: Must be locally crafted, artisanal food items utilizing Nova Scotia products and ingredients, and offer a walk-in storefront experience where visitors sample, purchase and/or participate in tours to learn about the products. Products can range from artisan cheeses, baked goods and chocolate to products using Nova Scotia fruits, meats, seafood, maple, etc.
• Restaurants: Places where customers can enjoy a meal, especially those with a focus on local ingredients and flavours, may be eligible for a restaurant listing. Food trucks in a set location may also be eligible. National and International chains are not eligible.

Please note, if purchasable food & drink tours are offered, there is further opportunity to list your tour within the packages/experiences section on NovaScotia.com

Events

Tourism Nova Scotia lists events on NovaScotia.com that are open to the general public, welcoming to visitors and have the potential to attract visitors to Nova Scotia.

Event categories include:

• Don't Miss: Top events identified by Tourism Nova Scotia as having the ability to encourage visitors to choose to come to Nova Scotia
• Arts & Culture: Events that involve artistic works, exhibits or performances and cultural activities
• Community: Local cultural events that showcase and celebrate the community and are welcoming to visitors
• Music: Any event that includes live music
• Food & Drink: Themed events that focus on culinary experiences and offerings
• Outdoor & Sports: Events that include outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking, motorcycling, and sporting events with public access for spectating

The following do not qualify for events on Tourism Nova Scotia’s marketing channels:

• Permanent attractions/exhibitions, displays, markets (i.e. anything that runs all year round and/or does not have a fixed date)
• Community-targeted activities such as trivia nights, open mics, community fundraisers, yard sales, bake sales, coffee & tea socials, and recreational classes
• Conferences and certain types of courses e.g. workshops, classes, demonstrations, and presentations that are not considered welcoming to visitors
• Submissions with suggestive content

Experiences

Experiences help set Nova Scotia apart and create memorable vacations that keep visitors coming back. An experience connects visitors to our culture, people, places, and flavours through hands-on activities.

Nova Scotia tourism operators may be eligible to list experiences for free on NovaScotia.com if they meet the following criteria:

• Include at least two of the following under one price point:
  • Transportation
  • Accommodations
  • Meals
  • Tickets to events or attractions
  • Guided tours
  • Activity or experience, such as music instruction, culinary or wine tasting, storytelling, painting, writing, photography, spa services, golf, etc.
• Integrate a local element to showcase stories, flavours, people and/or places that are unique to Nova Scotia, the community or business, such as local cuisine, music, storytellers, cultural activities, and/or special locations
• Be well-themed with a unique title that reflects the theme
• Engage the visitor through hands-on activities, where they learn something by doing something with someone who lives here
• Involve qualified guides and/or local experts to deliver a safe, quality experience;
• Be available a minimum of four times throughout the year
• If offering more than one experience, each experience must have a unique title and photo

Tourism Nova Scotia reserves the right to remove experience listings that do not meet the above criteria and/or do not provide a quality visitor experience.
 

Travel Packages

To qualify as a travel package on NovaScotia.com your package must include at least two of the following under one price point:

• Transportation
• Accommodations
• Meals
• Tickets to events or attractions
• Guided tours
• Activity or experience, such as music instruction, culinary or wine tasting, storytelling, painting, writing, photography, spa services, golf, etc.

Please note, travel packages may be posted for up to one year on NovaScotia.com. After one year, we will automatically remove the package unless you renew the listing.

Offering Multiple Travel Packages

Offering multiple packages gives potential visitors choices, and can help raise awareness of regional activities and encourage visitors to stay longer in your area.  If you are offering multiple packages, each package must meet the following criteria:

• Offer a unique pairing of transportation, accommodations, meals, tickets, tours or activities/experiences 
• Have a unique title
• Have a unique photo

Please note, if you are creating packages with the same offering and multiple night options, this is considered one package and the details concerning pricing and number of nights should be listed in the conditions section.