PARRSBORO – More than 20 years of working in tourism and rural economic development was recognized with the recent awarding of the Central Nova Tourist Association (CNTA) President’s Award to Tom Young.
Young, who has operated Resource Management Associates (RMA) in Parrsboro since 1994, said he was honoured to receive the award.
“The CNTA has consistently shown good management and integrity in their support of tourism operators in central Nova Scotia,” he said. “This, despite a shifting and – in many respects- challenging industry environment.”
As RMA’s senior planner, for the past 10 years Young worked on projects across Atlantic Canada, specializing in tourism product development planning and strategy development. His successes have included the Bay of Fundy Tourism Partnership, the Atlantic Economusee Network, and the Bay of Fundy Interpretation and Development Plan.
“Tom’s main focus with his tourism projects always seems to be regarding creating partnerships, building competitiveness and enhancing quality standards,” read the citation presented at the annual CNTA awards banquet. “The CNTA is fortunate to have Tom Young working in our region, working with some of Canada’s most experienced tourism professionals in the travel trade.”
More recently, his work has included a detailed market readiness assessment of destination trails in all four Atlantic Provinces, and the production of a new travel book for the Bay of Fundy region, set for release this summer.
Although RMA still maintains a business office in Parrsboro, its main office is now located in Halifax.
“I am grateful for the years that I was based in Parrsboro, the excellent staff that I have been able to work with there, and the support of the community,” he said.
