There’s word from Nova Scotia that two of the province’s motorcycle rallies are receiving major funding from a crown corporation.
According to the Chronicle-Herald newspaper, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation is funding the BikeFest – Thunder in the Highlands festival as well as a Harley Owner’s Group rally in Cape Breton. Thunder in the Highlands will get $100,000, and the HOG rally will get $45,000.
That may sound like a lot of your tax dollars being given away, but HOG rally organizer Andy Tonet tells the Chronicle-Herald it’s a sound investment that should bring 1,200 to 1,400 motorcyclists and $2.5 million worth of business to the Cape Breton economy. It will run July 13-17.
The Thunder in the Highlands festival should attract 15,000 to 20,000 bikers and $3 million to $7 million in business, organizer Scott Boyd says in the article, with some area hotels already completely booked for the event, which runs July 29- August 1.
Motorcyclists have been part of Nova Scotia’s tourism plan for years. This province is extremely aware of niche markets and their approach has been successful. Looking at the figures for 2010 and 2009 (not the best years for Canadian tourism) they have been more successful than any others except BC (Olympics) despite the problems in southern NS due to the lack of a ferry link to the U.S. Halifax is one of the most biker-friendly cities in North America — Nova Scotia WANTS motorcycle tourism and that is the difference. Other CA provinces are way behind, but are getting the message and have begun their own promotional efforts. —