Sustainable tourism for small towns in the Maritimes

Abstract

The hypothesis of this dissertation is that tourism initiatives are more sustainable if planning is done from the community level in consultation with tourism professionals. This is proven through an examination of four case study locations: Sackville, New Brunswick; Parrsboro, Nova Scotia; Pictou, Nova Scotia; and Magic Valley in Alma, Nova Scotia.

The history of tourism in Nova Scotia is reviewed, revealing how the industry evolved. This is followed by a discussion of the concept of sustainable tourism. In each case study location, the progression of tourism development is analyzed and the social, environmental and economic impacts are defined. Conclusions from this analysis demonstrate that the sustainability of small town tourism is dependent on community support, organization, and leadership. These findings will contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in small towns in the Maritimes.