Tourism Nova Scotia has announced the first participants in a new program that is following through on the Crown corporation's commitment to change how it approaches tourism.

The World-Class Experience EXCELLerator program will help businesses develop tourism experiences that are authentic and differentiate Nova Scotia as a travel destination. The experiences are supported by market research that shows their potential to attract visitors from key markets.

"We're excited to collaborate with Tourism Nova Scotia on our culinary kayak experience," said Angelo Spinazzola, owner of North River Kayak Tours in Cape Breton and program participant. "By combining our expertise with Tourism Nova Scotia's, we'll build a unique, world-class experience that visitors will be talking about for a lifetime."

The program is unique in that participants do not directly receive funding. Instead, EXCELLerator connects businesses with Tourism Nova Scotia’s subject matter experts, research and training on key markets. Participants will also receive marketing assets to help promote their experiences.

"We're thrilled to launch this new program and support some of Nova Scotia's forward thinking tourism operators," said Michele Saran, chief executive officer of Tourism Nova Scotia. "This program is different because we’re taking a proactive approach to collaborating with the private sector to create the experiences visitors want.”     

The eight participants, along with their experience concepts, are:
-- Advocate Boat Tours - Your Own Island: Overnight Adventure
-- Domaine de Grand Pré Winery - Pop-up Vineyard Dinner Overlooking a World Heritage Site
-- Go North Tours - Tidal Bay Wine Tasting Adventure
-- North River Kayak Tours - Lighthouse Bites: Beacons of Taste
-- Kayak Halifax Inc. - Coastal Hiking and Glamping
-- The Lightkeeper's Kitchen and Guesthouse on Cape d'Or - Nova Scotia's Ultimate Lobster Feast
-- Taste Halifax Tours - Taste of Halifax's Hottest Restaurants
-- White Point Beach Resort - Stellar Stargazing Feast and Hike

Tourism Nova Scotia staff will work with participants over the coming months to develop each experience so they are available for visitors in 2017. Experiences will also be used in Tourism Nova Scotia's promotions to market the province.

Focusing on world-class experiences is a pillar of Tourism Nova Scotia's strategy that outlines how it will help the industry meet the One Nova Scotia goal of doubling annual tourism revenues to $4 billion by 2024.