Halifax – With the recent success of Prince Edward Island tourism in hosting the Regis and Kelly show, PC Tourism critic Keith Bain is wondering when Nova Scotia is going to come up with its own innovative way to bring much needed attention and tourism to the province.
 
Bain is questioning why Nova Scotia always seems to follow in the footsteps of the other Maritime provinces when it comes to attracting high profile acts such as the Rolling Stones in Moncton or the Regis and Kelly show in Prince Edward Island.
 
“We seem to be one step behind everybody else,” said Bain. “I think it’s time to not just think outside the box, but to actually blow it up – let’s get creative.”
 
Bain is still waiting for a response to a letter sent to Tourism Minister Percy Paris asking whether the tourism department had negotiated to bring Regis and Kelly to the province.
 
Two years ago, former tourism minister Bill Dooks seriously looked at a proposal from the Boston Red Sox which would have seen the Red Sox host a Nova Scotia themed week at Fenway Park at a fraction of the $1 million cost for the Regis and Kelly show.
 
Unfortunately, the proposal came too late in the year for any real discussion to take place.
 
“These are the kinds of ideas we should be looking at,” said Bain. “Fenway Park sells 40,000 tickets a game, the Red Sox have unlimited promotional and marketing potential through NESN television and WEEI radio affiliates, and they have a fan base that expands across the world. Why wouldn’t we look at building a partnership with them?”
 
Earlier this year, the Red Sox hosted the country of Bermuda at Fenway Park, resulting in huge tourism benefits for that country.
 
The Red Sox were open to exploring all opportunities that would have benefitted the province.
 
Bain believes that the idea of a partnership with the Red Sox could be another way to tap into the close relationship that already exists between the Province and the New England States.
 
Recently, Premier Darrell Dexter attended meetings in Boston where he expressed a desire to work more closely with the New England states.

Bain agrees.
 
“It doesn’t get any more innovative than working with one of the most storied professional sports franchises in history,” added Bain. “The more creative we are the better.”
 
-30-
 
Michael Kydd
Public Relations Advisor
Office of the Leader – PC Caucus
902.424.4996 (o)
902.237.1965 (bb)
kyddma@gov.ns.ca