Press Release
(For immediate release)
Little Brook (N.S.) – November 10, 2023: Building on the momentum of a successful culinary program in 2022, the municipalities of Clare and Argyle are continuing to collaborate on tourism initiatives as they prepare to welcome thousands of visitors from around the world at the Congrès mondial acadien (CMA) in August 2024.
Established in 2008 by a regional partnership, the Acadian Shores Interpretive Tour is a self-guided itinerary of 28 heritage sites that highlight and cross-promote the rich Acadian history and culture in Southwest Nova Scotia. Fifteen years later, the map-brochure remains popular with visitor information centres, encouraging tourists to explore historic sites, museums, churches, wharves, and hidden gems, often located off the beaten path.
The Acadian Shores Interpretive Tour will be modernized for 2024 by updating the interpretive panels at existing sites and adding new panels at nine others. Each of the 37 sites will tell a unique aspect of the Acadian story of Southwest Nova Scotia (see Appendix below for list of sites).
Designed with longevity in mind, the project will strengthen Acadian product development and clustering, as well as encourage repeat visitation by residents and visitors at all sites throughout the region. A new “what to see and do” section will be added to each interpretive panel to promote local small businesses and tourism experiences.
Also new for 2024, vignettes will be created for each site and incorporated on each interpretive panel. Each 2 to 3-minute vignette will also be featured as a stand-alone video to be promoted on a new mobile-friendly microsite and social media. A redesign of the existing hard-copy map-brochure will also be undertaken and ready for 2024 to cross-promote the Acadian sites.
Following a request for proposals (RFP) process, local expertise has been engaged to implement the project:
- Research of interpretive panels: Denise Saulnier Design
- Design of interpretive panels: Chris Abbott
- Filming and Production of Video Vignettes: Shawn Bourque of Greenlight Studios
The project is being coordinated by senior staff from the Municipalities of Clare and Argyle, the Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ) and the Yarmouth & Acadian Shores Tourism Association (YASTA), in consultation with key contacts at each site.
Total project costs are $260,000 and include a $160,000 non-repayable contribution from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), $30,000 each from the Municipalities of Clare and Argyle, $25,000 from the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing, $10,000 from the Nova Scotia Department of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, and $5,000 from YASTA.
“As Nova Scotia prepares to welcome the world for the Congrès mondial acadien, we’re helping to make sure its rich Acadian history is front and centre anywhere visitors may find themselves,” said the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
“The project will be an excellent legacy project that will share and promote the Acadian story of Southwest Nova Scotia for many years to come. We are thankful for this funding opportunity with ACOA and the province of Nova Scotia,” remarked Yvon LeBlanc, Warden for the Municipality of Clare.
“This project will modernize the Acadian Shores Interpretive Tours and will continue to attract tourists in our area. The municipality is thrilled to play a role in this effort that promotes our Acadian heritage and local tourist attractions” noted Danny Muise, Warden for the Municipality of Argyle.
APPENDIX - Sites of the Acadian Shores Interpretive Tour
Media Contact / Interviews:
Larry Peach
Tourism Manager
Municipality of Clare
902-769-8555
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.