Monday, April 16, 2018
Of the 1,800+ tourism professionals coming to Halifax, Nova Scotia for Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) 2018 this May, over 500 are travel trade buyers looking for the best Canadian travel product and packages to sell their clients.
Every year, RVC’s host has the unique opportunity to welcome a number of these travel trade buyers (and a few travel media too) on familiarization tours before and after the event to showcase their destination’s product first-hand.
In partnership with industry operators, Tourism Nova Scotia has developed seven itineraries to show off the various regions of the province to interested RVC delegates. Approximately 120 travel trade and travel media professionals will participate in a three-day tour of a region of the province, giving buyers a taste of what our operators have to offer. 
1. Essential Nova Scotia
This route is one of the most popular for those with just a few days to experience Nova Scotia’s cultural and geographical diversity. From the urban streets of downtown Halifax to the province’s rich agricultural region of the Annapolis Valley to the rugged shorelines of the Lighthouse Route, this three-night, four-day pre-RVC tour includes overnights in Halifax, Annapolis Royal and the Western Shore.
2. Tidal Highs and Lows
A visit to Nova Scotia is not complete without seeing how the remarkable phenomenon that is the Bay of Fundy affects our landscape and our culture. This pre-RVC tour takes guests along the shores of the Bay of Fundy to experience some of its unique touchpoints.
3. Halifax Hub and Spoke
Halifax is a city that deftly blends the past with the present to produce a skyline dotted with elegant 18th- and 19th-century architecture alongside ultra-modern towers of glass and steel. The heart of Halifax is perfect for exploring on foot, with tree-lined streets, international restaurants, galleries, libraries and museums. Halifax is also a great place to base yourself and take diverse daytrips within an hour’s drive of the city and not have to worry about packing up your luggage each day. This three-night, four-day pre-RVC tour will be based in Halifax, but each day will showcase how easy it is to see a different side of Nova Scotia, all within easy driving distance of the province’s capital city.
4. Yarmouth and Acadian Shores
The Southwestern tip of Nova Scotia is a region renowned for its Acadian roots, colourful fishing villages and towering churches—and, of course, some of the freshest seafood around, including world-famous Digby scallops. Yarmouth is this region’s hub, and a great stopping point for hiking, fishing and seafaring adventures. Cultural enthusiasts on this three-night, four-day post-RVC tour will discover a bounty of local music, theatre, crafts, museums, galleries and, historic architecture with a strong Acadian focus.
5. Pristine and Marine
The warm, sparkling blue waters and wide sandy beaches of the Northumberland Strait make this region a vacation paradise. Freshly caught lobster, wild blueberries from Oxford, and maple syrup are just a few of the delicacies found in the area. Meanwhile, the Eastern Shore boasts pristine, rugged coastlines and more glorious beaches—the ideal setting for outdoor adventure. Outdoor enthusiasts will make the Eastern Shore their playground with surfing, kayaking, birding, hiking, and even sunbathing during this three-night, four-day post-RVC tour.
6. Strait to the Bay of Fundy
This is a place where life is shaped by the sea and fertile soil. Together they tell a captivating story. The world’s highest tides carve the dramatic cliffs and caves that paint the Bay of Fundy coastline, revealing stories of life that is over millions of years old. The Northumberland Shore is home to sandy beaches fringed by the warmest salt waters north of the Carolinas. Unique landscapes lead to a climate that lends itself well to the local wine industry and, not surprisingly, fresh local seafood, including lobster. It’s a great part of the province to get off the beaten path and find an unexpected discovery during this three-night, four-day post-RVC tour.
7. Cape Breton Island
Travel + Leisure magazine has called Cape Breton Island, home to the world-renowned Cabot Trail, one of the world’s must-see islands. The natural beauty of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities such as golfing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, and whale watching. A visit to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the largest historical reconstruction in North America, is like taking a step back in history to a time when the French and English crowns fought for control of the New World and all of Nova Scotia was a battleground. This four-night, five-day post-RVC tour takes guests to a few of the province’s most iconic attractions and locations across Cape Breton Island.
New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador will each host 20 delegates on familiarization tours of their provinces. P.E.I will host 30.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can work with the travel trade, please contact:
Peter Johnson
Manager, Market Development
Tel: (902) 798-6922
Email: peter.johnson@novascotia.ca