There are many factors beyond our control but there are others that we can aggressively pursue to attract visitors to our area. People return when they have a good experience, as evidenced by the successes around Scallop Days and the Wharf Rat Rally. An out-of-province licence plate should be a catalyst for a greeting and a smile.
Indeed this area is so small that we can usually tell if someone is a visitor. Our Visitor Information Centres need not be the only place that a tourist can get suggestions or information.
The annual Board of Trade business awards demonstrated that customer service has a profound impact. Personnel at the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission store in Digby and the owners and staff of the Little River Trading Company both ensured that visitors felt welcome and were provided with information that extended their stays in our community.
In e-mails to the board of trade, many visitors said that they would be returning soon as a result of our hospitality. Think about this the next time you are stopped for directions or you see someone walking along the shore. You can make a difference.
