Media Scan Friday June 11, 2021 Cries for clarity: Tourism groups want firm dates for reopening plan Nova Scotia’s tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, losing $1.6 billion in revenue last year. “We employ 50,000 Nova Scotians, we're back up to about 30,000 so we're still down about 20,000 jobs," says Darlene Grant Fiander with the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. "We generate about $450,000 in tax revenue for the provincial government, so that pays for health care, education, infrastructure, so it's incredibly important to the economy." Nova Scotia is currently in the first of a five-phase reopening plan. The province is expected to move into phase two next Wednesday. Rankin says Atlantic premiers are discussing possibility of moving up date of travel bubble Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin says Atlantic premiers are discussing the possibility of moving up the date for Atlantic travel bubble. Rankin made the comment in an interview with CTV Anchor Steve Murphy on Thursday evening. Here is a partial transcript of that interview. STEVE MURPHY: Nova Scotia is still not putting any firm dates on its reopening plan, saying phases will last two weeks, but businesses and travelers looking for greater certainty are taking some solace in comments from Premier Ian Rankin. Fibre optic internet welcome, but not if it ruins Cabot Trail view An Inverness County resident says she and her neighbours are looking forward to the installation of fibre optic internet service, but not if it comes at the cost of ruining an iconic view along the Cabot Trail. "We have high-speed internet, but it's really not high speed," said Gayle Hughes, whose home is near Cap Le Moine, N.S., midway between Margaree harbour and Grand Étang on Cape Breton's west coast. "I think we're at about half of what the target is for high speed." Bell Aliant is installing fibre optic lines throughout the county and Hughes said that will be great — if the cables go on the power poles located inland from the coast. “I would definitely hook up to it, providing their line is strung on the three-phase service behind our home," she said. "If they come along the roadway in front of my home, no." Sydney's Centre 200 to receive $600,000 investment to upgrade arena boards The three levels of government have announced an upgrade for Sydney's downtown sports venue. The Nova Scotia government is partnering with the federal government and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in a $600,000 project to upgrade the rink boards at Centre 200. The upgrades will improve the safety for local athletes, amateur skaters as well as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Cape Breton Eagles. Each level of government is contributing $200,000 toward the project. he QMJHL requires rink boards in facilities used by its franchises to be replaced regularly. Westville woman's photo chosen for front of Nova Scotia Doers and Dreamers Travel Guide For the second time, Angie Larkin-Turner artwork is on the cover of Nova Scotia Tourism’s Doers and Dreamer’s Guide. The photo selected to grace this year’s cover is a picture that Larkin-Turner captured of her daughter wrapped in a Nova Scotian flag as the Bluenose II passes by on the water. The image was first taken in September 2020, when the Bluenose was visiting various ports to brighten people’s spirits following the COVID lockdown and the tragedies that have hit the province. “It was such a lovely thing to do for the province, especially during the year we had,” Larkin-Turner said. For her, the Bluenose represents resilience and strength and that’s what she tried to encapsulate with her picture. Budget airline Swoop adding 2 routes between Halifax and Ontario for summer 2021 With the loosening of travel restrictions planned in many areas, Calgary-based budget airline Swoop is adding several new domestic and international routes, including two from Ontario to Halifax. In a June 10 release, the WestJet-owned company also announced it would add a tenth Boeing 737-800 jet to its fleet this winter due to new travel bookings that are on par with pre- pandemic levels. "We've seen a significant increase in demand for travel this summer, most especially in provinces where vaccination and re-opening plans are on track and clearly outlined," said Charles Duncan, president of Swoop. Rankin, Strang to give COVID-19 update at 1 p.m. Premier Iain Rankin and Nova Scotia's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang will provide an update on COVID-19 in the province at 1 p.m. Friday. The briefing will be live streamed here. The province reported 15 new cases on Thursday, plus an additional case at Citadel High School in Halifax. This school-related case is expected to be included in Friday's count. It's the second case to be identified at the school this week. There are currently 147 known active COVID- 19 cases in the province. Rita's Retreat: A Cape Breton resort that honours the island's first lady of song There's a new 'staycation' opportunity in Cape Breton where the legacy of the island's most famed songstress is very much in the walls. Rita MacNeil's former home is now Rita's Retreat. The six- acre property in Coxheath, N.S. isn't just any Airbnb. Built by MacNeil herself back in 1991, the building still has most of its original features from when she lived here. There's a huge backyard with a view of the water, three units with access to a personal chef and inside, a 50-foot long saltwater swimming pool. "To be able to go in and lay your head down in the same room Rita slept in, it's fantastic," says operator Mike Kuba. Cautious for good reason? Why P.E.I. is opening to tourists more slowly than its neighbours The unveiling of the other Atlantic provinces' re-opening plans has triggered some jealousy in Prince Edward Island's tourism industry. As of now, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador are planning to welcome fully vaccinated tourists from across the country on July 1st. If all goes well in Nova Scotia, that province could open up to vaccinated Canadians by mid-July. P.E.I., on the other hand, won't let regular tourists from outside the region visit until September, after the peak tourism season. That's unless the Island's vaccine rollout speeds up considerably. Latest P.E.I. gift card program aimed at putting Islanders in hotel beds The P.E.I. government has responded to calls for support for the struggling accommodations sector by unveiling another gift card incentive program. Hotels, motels and other operators that rely on tourists from outside the Island have been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and are in their 15th month of limits on who is allowed to enter the province. Thursday's announcement from the King government is aimed at encouraging Islanders to take staycations, with each consecutive two-night stay "at a qualifying P.E.I. accommodation" giving them a $100 Canada's Food Island gift card. The cards are redeemable for restaurant meals, food, entertainment, goods and services at participating businesses across the Island. Windsor-Essex tourism group banks on staycations to boost local businesses Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island has launched its annual visitor guide with a new brand amid the pandemic, calling it a "Staycation in Windsor-Essex Guide." The guide is meant to encourage local residents to get out and explore their own city, culture and businesses in their neighbourhoods. "We recognize that people that have been in their homes, cooped up, are looking to enjoy some of the tourism assets in their own backyard," said Gordon Orr, CEO of TWEPI. Tom O'Brien, president of Cooper's Hawk Vineyard and Vines Restaurant, feels confident that a pitch to local residents is a good move from a business perspective. .