It has been a crazy week, friends! On Monday, we launched the 2013 Local Wishlist at 7 pm and it feels like the rest of the week was a blur. I am feeling excited and overwhelmed and humbled by the initial response. More than 13,000 views and more than 600 social media shares, reports of sales, a fun segment on Global, and two more print interviews (coming up next week!). I. AM. TIRED!
So I hope you’ll forgive the recent lack of posts and videos. BUT this little gem popped into my mailbox today that I wanted to share. I am giving you the straight press release because the second I hit send, I’ll be back to adding the incoming gifts to the wishlist. If you haven’t already, check it out: www.madeinns.com/localwishlist
Okay, now onto the press release. I really feel like this new ferry is headed in the right direction – creating an experience not just a mode of transportation. I am a little nervous about the ‘Turnkey” vacation part, but that’s the road warrior in me speaking. I just think that if tourists are coming here, it is better if more than just a few select experiences benefit. We don’t want this to turn into what currently happens with so many of our cruise ships, where passengers get off the boat, onto a bus, and whisked off to one of a handful of packaged ‘experiences’. I also firmly believe that more and more of today’s travellers are looking for a more authentic experience.
Have a look, and leave your thoughts below!
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HALIFAX, NS November 22, 2013 – Nova Star Cruises Ltd. is pleased to announce that Danny Morton, a leader in Nova Scotia’s tourism industry, has joined the company as Director, Cruise Marketing & Business Development.
“We are very fortunate to have Danny join Nova Star Cruises’ growing team,” said Owen John, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Nova Star Cruises. “His extensive experience, knowledge, and relationships within the tourism industry will be invaluable in helping us establish and build a long-term, sustainable cruise ferry service.”
Starting in 2014, Nova Star Cruises will provide daily round-trip ferry service aboard the brand new, 161-metre cruise ferry, Nova Star, between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine, from May 1 to November 2.
Morton will be based in Halifax, NS, and lead strategic marketing, business development and sales, and support the development and introduction of the Nova Star Discovery program. The Nova Star Discovery program will provide travelers with turnkey vacation experiences that bundle passage on the Nova Star with select tourism offerings throughout Nova Scotia.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting opportunity for Nova Scotia and to join the Nova Star Cruises team,” said Morton, bringing more than 30 years of tourism industry experience to his new role. “This is a great opportunity for me personally, and also for Nova Scotia as we begin work to restore cruise ferry service between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine.”
For more than two decades Morton was general manager of White Point Beach Resort, and oversaw all aspects of operations including achievement of ISO 9001:2000 certification, ensuring quality standards development and human resource management throughout the resort. He was also part of the team that successfully rebuilt and reopened the resort in 2012, within one year of a devastating fire.
“Nova Star Cruises presents a unique opportunity for visitors to, and tourism operators in, Nova Scotia and New England, and I look forward to working with industry partners to develop and market this vital link between Canada and the United States,” said Morton.
Morton is a current board member of the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency (NSTA) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). He is also a past chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS).
Nova Star Cruises estimates that more than 100,000 passengers will step aboard the Nova Star in the first year of operation. Nova Star will leave Portland each evening at 8 p.m. EST and arrive in Yarmouth at 7 a.m. AST the next morning. The ship will depart two hours later and arrive back in Portland at 5 p.m. local time.
With a casino, three restaurants, including sit down fine dining and a sumptuous buffet, a theater and live entertainment, plus a spa, art gallery and more, Nova Star will provide a wealth of on-board amenities for passengers to enjoy during the voyage.
Nova Star Cruises will attend and participate in the 2013 TIANS Tourism Summit from Nov. 24-26 in Halifax, NS. To stay informed about Nova Star Cruises, visit www.novastarcruises.com and sign-up to receive updates, or follow @NovaStarCruises on Twitter.
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