Regional Tourism Strategy
A Destination Management & Marketing Organization Framework
Tourism is vital to our region – supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and showcasing the area’s natural beauty, cultural abundance, and rich history. Valley Regional Enterprise Network is working with tourism industry leaders to implement a regional tourism strategy, harnessing the Annapolis Valley’s potential as a premier destination.
Developed through Tourism Atlantic’s Strategic Tourism for Areas & Regions (STAR) program, the Tourism Strategy promotes a unified approach to tourism development in West Hants, Kings, and Annapolis Counties. This strategy was shaped by input from more than 150 operators, municipalities, and partners across the Valley, and serves as our roadmap for growing tourism in a way that’s collaborative, sustainable, and community-driven.
Click here for the full Regional Tourism Strategy.
A major part of the implementation work has been developing a funding model that could sustain a Destination Management & Marketing Organization (DMMO) over the long term. We’ve been working closely with our municipal partners to understand what’s feasible – including how a regional marketing levy could work here in the Valley.
Click here for a Marketing Levy Consultation report, and click the image below for a DMMO Funding Model Report.
Annapolis Valley Tourism Networking Event – Sept 23rd
We’re taking our tourism networking series to Annapolis County in September, in partnership with the Municipality of the County of Annapolis! Join us at Still Fired Distilleries on Wednesday, September 23 from 5pm – 7pm for an evening of connection and conversation.
Meet tourism colleagues from across the region, exchange ideas, hear exciting announcements, and learn more about regional tourism collaboration. Plus, enjoy samples from Still Fired Distilleries!
📅 Wednesday, September 23 | 5–7 p.m.
📍 Still Fired Distilleries, Annapolis County
It’s free to attend! Register at https://networkingstillfired.eventbrite.ca
Tourism Infrastructure & Services Gaps Analysis Report
The Annapolis Valley has incredible tourism assets — from the Bay of Fundy and our natural landscapes to food, drink, culture, outdoor adventure and vibrant communities. But what will it take to connect these experiences, attract more visitors, encourage longer stays and repeat visits, and strengthen tourism across the region?
The Tourism Infrastructure & Services Gaps Analysis helps answer that question. Through research, stakeholder interviews, and an inventory of hundreds of tourism assets, the study identifies where we are today, the challenges holding us back, and the opportunities to move forward.
The report also provides a roadmap for action — highlighting opportunities for investment, collaboration and regional development.
Visual Report
Four representatives involved in destination development in the Annapolis Valley recently attended the Taste of Place Summit in Markham, Ontario. Following the summit, they extended their visit by two days to explore rural tourism regions across the province.
During the trip, participants met with three Destination Management Organizations and visited six agri-tourism operators, gaining valuable insights into how other regions are successfully developing culinary and rural tourism experiences.
A lot was learned in just four days—and we’re excited to share our findings with you!
Voice of the Visitor Reports
The Voice of the Visitor survey program is administered thorough Tourism Nova Scotia’s’ Online Advisory Panel, which consists of past visitors to Nova Scotia from across Canada, the United States and overseas, who are 18 years of age or older and have taken an overnight leisure trip to Nova Scotia.
The Valley REN participated in two Voice of the Visitor surveys – The 2025 survey presents results for questions asked about visitors’ perspectives on Regenerative Tourism, and the 2026 survey highlights travel motivations, trip planning behaviours, spending patterns, and opportunities to enhance the overall visitor experience in the Annapolis Valley.
To view the 2025 report, click here.
To view the 2026 report, click here.
Connect With Us!
Valley REN is working with a 13 person Working Committee on the implementation of the regional tourism strategy. Efforts are industry led, and always in consultation with the tourism community.
If you would like to get in touch, contact the Tourism Strategy Manager, Genevieve Allen Hearn.
gallen@valleyren.ca | 902-670-6820
Tourism Newsletter
Subscribe to receive information specifically targeted to Tourism in the Annapolis Valley.