Gateway to Louisbourg: Escape to Île Royale for Lunch - Montrealers are Invited to Nova Scotia this Summer

MONTREAL, May 29, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - In 1713, a group of displaced French colonists landed on the shores of Île Royale (Cape Breton) with the goal of building a better life. The community they successfully established was Louisbourg, a thriving fortress town that became a new-world hot spot for commerce and culture. "Louisbourg was a vibrant place, buzzing with energy as cultures from all over the world converged," said Lester Marchand, manager of Visitor Experience for Parks Canada's Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. "Three hundred years later you can experience that same energy at the Fortress of Louisbourg this summer" (open daily as of June 15). A celebration centuries in the making, this is the summer to visit the largest historical reconstruction in North America for the incredible entertainment, festivals and fairs of Louisbourg300.

To bring the excitement of the Louisbourg to Montreal, the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency staged a Gateway to Louisbourg at Complexe Desjardins today to share the sights, tastes and sounds of the original new-world French settlement. The Gateway event featured Parks Canada animators from the Fortress of Louisbourg and visuals of the site's distinct architecture as an unmistakable reminder for people to visit the popular vacation destination this summer.

"Today we invited Montrealers to taste our incredible seafood, hear the historic and animated music of the founding community of Louisbourg, and, most of all, enjoy the legendary, down-home hospitality of Île Royale, known today as Cape Breton, Nova Scotia," said Patrick Sullivan, CEO of the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency.  "Montreal is the largest French speaking city in North America. It represents an important tie to our past and a key market for Nova Scotia's tourism industry.  It is only appropriate to extend a formal invitation to visit us this summer."

Adding to the Nova Scotia flavour of the Gateway to Louisbourg event was the culinary flare of "The Kilted Chef", Alain Bossé, Nova Scotia's Culinary Ambassador. He demonstrated his Lobster 101 tutorial for those in attendance and treated the crowd to a sample of his special Nova Scotia lobster rolls.

The Kilted Chef offered his top five reasons for enjoying Nova Scotia lobster:

1. The WOW factor - Lobster is always the star of any menu.
2. Versatile - It's at home on the beach or in a five star restaurant. Lobster can be boiled, broiled, steamed, grilled or baked. Let your imagination go wild!
3. Good for you - A high source of Omega 3 fatty acids; it will do your heart good.
4. The Experience - Eating lobster brings people together. It's an experience, not just a meal.
5. Always available - Canada's lobster harvesting season spans all 12 months so it's always available and always fresh!

"While lobster rolls took centre stage today, wild blueberry lemonade and Mrs. MacGregor's famous shortbread played crucial supporting roles," said Chef Bossé.  "Nova Scotia is quickly becoming a recognized culinary destination. We're thrilled to bring a taste of Nova Scotia to our friends in Montreal."

Win a Trip to the Nova Scotia Seacoast

The Gateway event also offered an opportunity to win an all expense paid trip to Nova Scotia.  Through the Facebook contest, Hit the Road with Me, visitors can enter daily for a chance to win a trip for four valued at $10,000.  Simply "like" Nova Scotia on Facebook, enter the contest, and you could qualify for four return flights, accommodations, a car rental and spending money. Hit the Road with Me is open until June 25^th.  Remember, you can enter daily to increase your chances of winning.

All of the Flavours of Nova Scotia on Wheels

The Nova Scotia Eatery tour is a 24 foot mobile kitchen that will serve Nova Scotia product and traditional fare throughout Ontario and Quebec from the end of May to late July. The Eatery is a partnership between Taste of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency, aimed at profiling Nova Scotia product and promoting the province as a culinary destination. Tour highlights and feature menu items for the Nova Scotia Eatery can be found at www.TasteofNovaScotia.com.

About Nova Scotia Tourism

Through the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency (NSTA), government and industry are working in collaboration to develop a more innovative and globally competitive approach to tourism to increase revenue and industry profitability for the benefit of all Nova Scotians.  Nova Scotia's tourism industry generates $2 billion a year in annual revenue and supports more than 24,000 jobs for Nova Scotians in every region of the province. For more information on how to plan your trip to Nova Scotia visit www.NovaScotia.com.

About Taste of Nova Scotia

Taste of Nova Scotia is a unique, province-wide marketing program, whose members are committed to offering the very best culinary experiences and products that Nova Scotia has to offer. The Taste of Nova Scotia membership base includes approximately 140 quality food producers and processors, as well as a collection of the best restaurants in the province.

About Parks Canada

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada's historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.

SOURCE: Nova Scotia Tourism Agency

For more information or to book an interview: 

Victoria Pickering: 514-771-2837   [email protected]

Corinne Maclellan: 902-209-3234   [email protected]