EXPORT Travel Trade Program: Travel Trade Readiness
The EXPORT Travel Trade Program aims to help Nova Scotia tourism businesses develop partnerships with tour operators and travel agents to increase national and international sales.
Participants will work with a coach who has extensive experience in the travel trade to build a sales strategy, implement best practices for working with travel trade, and create partnerships with travel agents and tour operators to begin making sales.
Offered by Tourism Nova Scotia
Amount
No specific amount specified
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Applications for the Travel Trade Readiness stream are open to Nova Scotia tourism businesses who have been in business for at least one year, have some knowledge of the travel trade and can demonstrate they are ready and able to implement or expand on policies and business practices necessary to work with travel trade partners, such as booking policies, rate schedules, etc.
Nova Scotia tourism businesses that have completed a TNS introductory in-person workshop or virtual webinar, or those that have experience selling through the travel trade and can demonstrate they have the capacity to grow sales through the travel trade are eligible to apply.
Businesses must be knowledgeable about the travel trade and show a willingness to take steps to engage travel trade distribution partners. Businesses and organizations must have been in operation for at least one year and be in good standing with the provincial Registry of Joint Stock Companies. Roofed accommodations businesses must be registered with the Short-term Rentals Registry.
Tourism Nova Scotia is dedicated to advancing equity, diversity inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in Nova Scotia. We encourage and prioritize applications from underrepresented businesses, organizations and individuals, as well as those that offer tourism activities that amplify and reflect underrepresented communities, experiences and voices.
Applicants must be in good standing with the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. stream 1: travel trade readiness EVALUATON criteria Applicants must show they are prepared to work with travel trade partners. To qualify, they must:
Offer trade-relevant products or experiences on NovaScotia.com and their own website Be willing to offer net or commissionable rates Confirm rates at least one year ahead of potential bookings Be willing to allocate inventory (rooms, tour dates, etc.) and respond to inquiries within 24 hours, year‑round Use an online booking system Be willing to offer availability to travel trade partners in the summer months Have a year‑round contact for travel trade (i.e. salesperson, owner, etc.)
About the funding
Participants will work with a coach who has extensive experience in the travel trade to build a sales strategy, implement best practices for working with travel trade, and create partnerships with travel agents and tour operators to begin making sales.
The consultant will conduct a comprehensive business assessment and collaborate with participants to create a detailed action plan tailored for these markets. Additionally, the consultant will be available for six months to support participants in establishing travel trade partnerships while exploring various business development strategies and opportunities.
There is no fee to participate in this stream in
2026. See Page 2 for Travel Trade Readiness
One-on-one coaching: Tourism Nova Scotia will connect up to 10 tourism businesses with a consultant.
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